To win basketball games you must score points. To score points you must control the basketball.

The NIU women’s basketball team has recorded 105 turnovers in only four games and heads to Champaign with a three-game losing streak in tow when they take on Illinois at 6 p.m. today.

NIU scores 54 points per game, while Illinois’ defense allows 54. Illinois scores 60.8, and the NIU defense allows 61.2 per game.

If NIU wants to pick up its first road win of the season, coach Carol Owens has stressed persistent play with fewer turnovers.

“Despite our troubles, the kids worked hard and hopefully understand that they simply have to stick with it,” Owens said. “I’m confident we’ll see a better team in the next two to three weeks. We just have to take it one day at a time. We haven’t really been blown out in any game.

“We just need to limit our mistakes and execute better, both of which can come with more confidence.”

Junior guard Stephanie Raymond shoots 57 percent from the field and leads NIU in scoring with 13.5 points per game. Raymond has connected on 7 of 11 three pointers this season.

Kristin Wiener leads the team in rebounding with 10.5 per game and also chips in an average 10.5 points.

Jennifer Uptmor shoots 60 percent from the field and, combined with Wiener gives NIU a solid inside presence.

In her 11th season as Illinois head coach, Theresa Grentz’s squad is 2-2 and comes off a 17-13 2004 campaign. Lori Bjork is the leading scorer at 11.3 points per game. As a team, Illinois has hit 17 of 52 three pointers.