Forty-four points.

The NIU women’s basketball team faces the task of replacing that production lost from last year’s team.

Its leading returning scorer is sophomore point guard Stephanie Raymond, who averaged 8.9 points a game last year. Raymond, along with junior forward Jamie Wilson, was unveiled as the Huskies’ captains at Wednesday’s NIU basketball media day.

“I hope I haven’t put too much pressure on [Raymond],” said NIU coach Carol Hammerle. “But I don’t think that will be the case. I think she thrives on that kind of pressure.”

A Rockford native, Raymond was named to the MAC All-Freshman team after last season. In addition to being the fourth-leading scorer on the team, she led the team with 78 assists and 47 steals.

“I don’t feel too much pressure,” said the 5-foot-5 Raymond. “I know my role on the team and I’ll do whatever I can to help the team succeed.”

Wilson played in only four games last season after tearing her left ACL nine minutes into the first game of the season. Wilson missed the entire 2002-03 season after tearing her right ACL.

The 6-foot Wilson averaged 4.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in 2001-02, her only full season.

“I’ve been a little bit hesitant in practice, but I’m getting a little more physical,” Wilson said. “I’m going to put my faith in God and just go.”

Forward Joi Scott was NIU’s leading scorer last season, but was forced to transfer to Murray State after it was found out she violated NCAA rules by accepting gifts from an NIU employee. Other key losses include forward Jennifer Youngblood, one of only five players in MAC history to collect 1,000 rebounds and Lindsay Secrest, NIU’s third-leading scorer last season at 10.3 points per game.

Hammerle harped Wednesday on the ability of her backcourt players, saying if she had to fill out a starting lineup on the spot, Raymond and fellow guards Rachel Sillar and Mary Basic would all be on it.

“This is probably the quickest group of perimeter players I’ve had in my career,” said Hammerle, who’s in her seventh year as Huskies coach. “You’ll probably see us doing more full-court pressure this year.”

Of the four freshmen debuting for the Huskies this fall, Hammerle said guard Tara Michels of Dixon will likely have the most immediate aspect.

“She’s an outstanding shooter,” Hammerle said of Michels. “But she’s also learning what it’s like to play at this level. It’s all a learning process.”