Sports Reporter

The NIU women’s basketball team started off right where it left before the holidays, losing its first three games. But it recovered by winning four in a row.

The Huskies’ four-game winning streak was the longest since the 1998-1999 season. Their next game is on the road Tuesday night against Toledo.

Ball State 78, NIU 54

Ball State capitalized on NIU’s poor ball-handling to end the Huskies’ streak. The Cardinals virtually won the game from the free-throw line, attempting 29 free throws to NIU’s five. They made 26 of these to put the game out of reach.

Despite the loss, NIU freshman forward Jennifer Youngblood put together a career-high 23-point performance on 11-of-13 shooting from the field.

NIU 68, Eastern Michigan 56

The Huskies defeated Eastern Michigan on Jan. 9 to improve their Mid-American Conference record to 2-0. NIU held EMU to 28 percent shooting for the game and outscored the Eagles 44-27 in the second half.

The Huskies put together a 12-0 run after halftime to capture the lead for good. Kristan Knake, who won MAC Player of the Week honors on Jan. 3, scored all of her 16 points in the second half, thanks in large part to shooting 10-10 from the free-throw line.

While the second half belonged to Knake, the first half was where senior center Mickey Johnson shined. Johnson scored 15 of her game-high 20 points in the first half. She also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

NIU 66, Marshall 56

Jan. 6 marked the start of the MAC conference schedule for the Huskies, who came away with a 10-point win over Marshall.

Freshman guard Lindsay Secrest matched her career high with 26 points and added nine rebounds and six steals. Secrest hit five three-pointers and 9 of 12 shots overall from the floor.

Secrest’s fourth three-pointer gave the Huskies a 20-point lead going into the half. This gave Secrest 26 on the season, which already sets a freshman record.

“I definitely wanted the ball today, especially after the way I had been practicing,” Secrest said. “Kristan did a great job of getting me the ball, and at times, I was wide open. If it’s there, I’m never going to be hesitant to shoot.”

NIU 50, Western Illinois 41

On Dec. 30, the Huskies defeated Western Illinois despite committing 29 turnovers and missing 11 of 21 free throws.

Western Illinois shot a dismal 7-of-29 from the floor in the first half and 9-of-33 in the second half. NIU’s defense held the Westerwinds to 17 points in the first half and 24 in the second.

For NIU, the scoring was done mainly from the backcourt as Secrest, Knake and Stephanie Smith all scored in double figures. Smith’s 11 points were a career high, while Secrest added 13 and Knake posted a team-high 14.

Mickey Johnson accomplished a milestone in the game as she grabbed her 600th career rebound. She is the 13th player in NIU history to accomplish the feat.

NIU 72, Detroit-Mercy 61

The win over Detroit-Mercy marked the first Huskie road victory of the season and snapped a six-game losing streak.

“This win says so much for how this team has come together,” coach Carol Hammerle said.

The Huskies got out to an early 7-0 lead, then saw themselves fall behind 16-14 later that half. NIU then went on a 9-3 run in the second half to regain the lead, which they would never lose.

Youngblood posted her team-high third double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

“I’m very excited about this team’s potential,” Hammerle said. “I just hope we can continue it and keep getting better.”

Evansville 65, NIU 60

Before Christmas, the Huskies made a stop in Indiana to take on the Lady Aces, only to be outscored 30-17 in the first half.

The lead was 13 at the half for Evansville, but the Huskies made a strong second-half surge and even took the lead going into the last minute. However, Shinko Ono scored six points in the final minute as Evansville prevailed.

Johnson had a team-high 17 points and was joined by Secrest and Kim Boeding in double figures. Boeding added 16 points.

Santa Clara 62, NIU 50

On Dec. 18, the Huskies fell to Santa Clara after a dismal first half.

NIU scored only 12 points before halftime and found themselves down 20 at the break. The 12 points was the lowest for the Huskies since the 1982-83 season.

NIU suffered on the defensive glass, getting outrebounded 23-15. The Broncos also took an advantage inside with a 34-20 edge in the paint.

Secrest and Knake each scored 13 points, which led the team.

Cal-Irvine 66, NIU 48

The holiday schedule began one month ago on a sour note as the Huskies fell to Cal-Irvine. The Anteaters avenged their early season loss to the Huskies by defeating them at Chick Evans Field House.

Knake added 17 points, the only Huskie in double figures. Three other players added eight points for the Huskies, but they couldn’t contain Cal-Irvine’s Wendy Gabbe and Brandy Hudson, who posted 17 and 19, respectively.