The NIU women’s basketball team split a pair of games at the Convocation Center this weekend. A 67-62 win over North Dakota State opened the regular season Friday, followed by a 73-67 overtime loss Sunday to Wisconsin-Green Bay.

UWGB never trailed in the overtime period and outscored NIU 11-5 following regulation. UWGB guard Kayla Groh scored six of her 16 points in overtime to secure the win in a foul-plagued, turnover-filled, frantically-paced game.

“Our defense played well; they forced 32 turnovers,” UWGB coach Kevin Borseth said. “We tried to apply as much pressure as we could – that is really what our game is.”

A concerted defensive effort by UWGB held Stephanie Raymond to one point in the first half. Kristin Wiener led NIU with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Whitney Lowe added 14 points and six rebounds. The inside-outside tandem of Wiener and Lowe was instrumental in forcing overtime down the stretch.

“We executed the high-low,” Wiener said. “I was able to seal the inside and get position to take it up strong.”

After a Lowe three-pointer tied the game 58-58, NIU took its last lead of the game 61-60 on a driving lay up from Raymond (11 points). Wiener split a pair of free throws to send the game in overtime tied 62-62.

“I’m proud that we battled back and took a its NCAA experience down the stretch. We are getting better and are staring to understand we can win these kind of games eventually.”

NIU 67, North Dakota State 62

Friday, NIU opened with a 17-point lead powered by an offensive onslaught by Raymond, and fought off a furious NDSU rally to hang onto a 67-62 win.

Helped by four first-half three pointers, Raymond tallied 14 of the first 19 NIU points. A quiet six point-second half by the junior from Rockford, and a furious 20-0 NDSU made kept the game within distance.

“We knew they would make a second half run,” Owens said. “That was a very good team, we knew they wouldn’t lay down and die, but we didn’t expect a 20-0 run.”

With her offense slowed by a swarming NDSU defense, Raymond sealed the win when she took a charge at half court as NIU held to a slim 64-62 lead with 1:04 left.