This time it counts.

The NIU women’s basketball team opens its regular season tonight at the Convocation Center against North Dakota State at 7:05. p.m.

Led by Stephanie Raymond, NIU rolled through an undefeated exhibition season. Despite a preseason average of 20.5 points per game, the junior point guard said NIU will rely on its defense against NDSU.

“We played defense well in spurts in the preseason,” Raymond said. “But defense is our overall focus for Friday.”

NIU averaged 82 points per game in the preseason, but first-year head coach Carol Owens said her team will continue to tune up its ball pressure and tough defense. NDSU is off to a fast start with a 4-0 record, led by 6-foot senior forward Kristi Boese, who is averaging 22.5 points per game.

“North Dakota State is a really good team,” Owens said. “I think if we are going to be successful, we need to win games with defense. We are going to score points, but we have to do it on defense and that’s what we are going to concentrate on this week.”

The NIU front court featured strong play in the preseason from Kristin Wiener. The junior center averaged 9.5 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Mary Basic and freshman Jessie Wilcox have joined Raymond to provide solid backcourt scoring and a smooth transition game. Freshman forward Becky Smith has come off the bench to average nine points a game, and combined with the return of Jamie Wilson from a knee injury, NIU appears poised to have a versatile inside-outside attack.

Owens has played a series of different lineups in the preseason, and hasn’t hesitated to substitute her young players into the mix. Owens said it is important for her team to mold together and have on-court chemistry.

“You can have all the talent in the world and not win anything. But if you play together you can win a lot of games,” Owens said.