Clutch free throw shooting put the game on ice for the NIU women’s basketball team Friday night at the Convocation Center. NIU (2-4) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 51-40 win over Illinois Chicago (2-4).

With just under five minutes to play, UIC came within two points, when Chrissy Dizon nailed a three-pointer.

On the ensuing possession, NIU’s Stephanie Raymond found Kristin Wiener for a lay in, and a 41-37 lead. The game then was decided on the charity stripe, where NIU converted 10 of 12 foul shots, and out-scored UIC 12-3 down the stretch.

“Free throws win games,” said Raymond, who scored a game-high 17 points.

Wiener had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. NIU won the turnover battle (18-16) that plagued them all season, and head coach Carol Owens said she liked the way her team answered every UIC rally.

“Basketball is a game of runs,” Owens said. “The key is who handles the other team’s runs better. Our defense has been pretty solid all along. There are a lot of things we can still improve on, but overall, I’m pleased. Keeping our turnovers under 20 this game was another key.”

NIU took advantage of its height advantage to out-rebound UIC 42-33, and harass the UIC offense into shooting 24 percent from the field.

NIU used a 10-0 first half run to take a 24-13 lead. It seemed like a blowout was in order, but promptly UIC posted a 7-0 rally to close the NIU lead to 24-20 at the half.

NIU has a nine-day layoff before it hits the road again for four straight games. NIU heads to DePaul Dec. 12. The Blue Demons are ranked No. 14 in the USA Today/ESPN poll.

“It was good to be home again,” Owens said. “But we’ve had plenty of experience with playing away, so we know the crowd will be hostile. I think we’re prepared for what’s coming.”