The NIU women’s basketball team closed the exhibition portion of its schedule with a convincing 83-63 victory over Saint Xavier University Friday night at the Convocation Center.

NIU shot 52 percent from the field, and an even more effective 60 percent from three-point range. Stephanie Raymond scored 23 points, made three of five three-pointers and connected with her teammates for five assists. Kristin Wiener scored 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

Despite the prolific offensive showcase, Raymond saw room for improvement.

“We are working on our defense, offensive execution and taking care of the ball,” Raymond said. “On offense, we had a lot of unforced turnovers today.”

Saint Xavier’s defense opened in a zone, and NIU started the game with a concentrated effort to utilize its size advantage and get high-percentage shots.

NIU Head Coach Carol Owens said her front court will be a vital part of the NIU offense.

“Our post will be very important this year,” Owens said. “Wiener has the ability to create her own shot. When she goes straight up, she’s very good. We’ve been working with her on using her body, and if she does she can put defenses at her mercy.”

NIU opens the regular season Friday night at the Convo against North Dakota State University. As the calendar turns to the regular season, Wiener said NIU is ready to get going, and is still in pursuit of a complete game.

“We had a better first half than second half,” Wiener said. “We need to finish in the second half. If we have a team up by 30, we need to maintain that lead and keep going with it.”

Raymond said that NIU hasn’t missed a beat when they make substitutions.

Steady bench play has allowed the starters to go full throttle and to stay fresh.

“We have enough people on the bench to sub in,” Raymond said. “The bench did a fantastic job of pressuring the ball when they came in.”

Despite a pair of high-scoring exhibitions games, Owens said NIU will use defense to be successful.

“We can score some points,” Owens said. “But I keep stressing that we take pride in defense.”