The NIU women’s basketball team has squandered a halftime lead five times since MAC play began.

The Huskies will try to put two good halves together when they take on Miami (Ohio) at 2:05 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.

“First of all it’s good to be back at home,” NIU coach Carol Hammerle said. “I think that this game with Miami is a very winnable game for our team.”

Both teams started off 2-0 in MAC play, and both teams have struggled since.

Miami (10-11 overall, 4-6 MAC) was on a five-game losing streak, before rebounding at home. The RedHawks are coming off of a three-game homestand that saw them go 2-1.

The Huskies (6-15, 3-7) have dropped seven of their last eight and are sixth in the MAC West.

“Right now we are more concerned about ourselves than the opponent,” Hammerle said. “We just need to execute and play defense.”

Hammerle added that Miami could also present some match-up problems. Cindi Merrill, at 5’8, plays several positions for the RedHawks and even puts in minutes at power forward.

“Their strength is on the perimeter and they are really strong shooters,” the seventh year coach said. “They are always running and shooting and [Merrill] plays three positions so it all depends on where they put her.”

The Huskies will try to bounce back from a 13-point loss to Kent State on Wednesday after they led by four at the half.

Junior forward Jamie Wilson has led the Huskies in scoring their last two games with 18 and 16 points, respectively.

Miami leads the all-time series with NIU 12-7 and has won the last two meetings.