It might have been a loss, but the NIU women’s basketball team found out what Jamie Wilson can do when she isn’t held back by sore knees.

The Huskies started strong before falling to Ball State 70-64 Saturday at the Convocation Center, despite a career-high 18 points by Wilson.

“My knees felt good today,” said the junior forward, who missed all of the 2001-02 season and all but four games of last season due to knee injuries. “The post players haven’t stepped up this season, and we wanted to have an inside-out attack.”

NIU (6-14 overall, 3-6 MAC) grabbed a 40-32 second-half lead, only to allow a 23-10 run by Ball State (11-10, 7-3).

Sophomore guard Stephanie Raymond hit a three pointer with 2:44 remaining to pull NIU within a point. But BSU senior Kate Endress answered with a three of her own.

Endress scored nine of her game-high 28 points in the final 3:07 and converted four straight free throws in the last eight seconds to seal the victory.

“[Endress] is definitely all-conference and maybe player of the year,” NIU coach Carol Hammerle said. “She is so hard to defend, and we tried to double team her as much as possible.”

Hammerle was also impressed with Wilson’s effort and leadership.

“Jamie brings an incredible presence to this team with her leadership,” Hammerle said. “I can’t imagine what she would be like with two good wheels.”

The Cardinals’ victory is their sixth in the last seven games and puts them a half game behind Bowling Green for first place in the MAC West.

“This was a big win for us and put us in position to play Bowling Green for the division lead,” Ball State coach Tracy Roller said.

Raymond had 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds in the loss. For the first time this season the Huskies had more assists than turnovers with 18 and 15, respectively.