The NIU women’s basketball team shot the ball better and turned it over less than Ohio, but the Huskies still couldn’t get over the hump.

The Huskies fell 71-64 at Ohio on Saturday, which brought their losing streak to a season-high eight games, despite shooting 50 percent from the field.

The loss puts the Huskies a half game behind Central Michigan for last place in the MAC West with three regular-season games remaining.

Ohio (11-13 overall, 7-6 MAC) outscored NIU 27-6 from the free-throw line as the Bobcats converted 22-of-25 from the line in the second half.

“That is a huge free throw disparity,” NIU coach Carol Hammerle said. “We shot 50 percent from the floor, had more steals, less turnovers. How else are you supposed to make up 21 points at the free throw line?

“It’s a little disheartening, because I feel like we really played well enough to win this game.”

The Bobcats took an early 17-8 lead , but the Huskies (6-18, 3-10) rallied and trailed by one at the half.

A three pointer by sophomore guard Stephanie Raymond gave NIU a 34-32 advantage, but it was the last lead it would see.

Ohio had 16 of its final 20 points come from the free-throw line, and nine were by Simone Redd, who had a game-high 26 points.

Raymond scored a team-high 20 points and had six steals while Mary Basic contributed 15 points.

“Stephanie was just amazing for us tonight,” Hammerle said. “She played so hard on both ends and made some huge plays for us. Mary played an excellent game too, and they both shot the ball extremely well.”

NIU junior forward Jamie Wilson finished in double-figures for the fifth straight game with 11 points.