NIU golfer Lisa Bailey received her first individual title while leading the NIU women’s golf team to a win Tuesday at the Western Illinois Westerwind Classic.

The win was the Huskies’ first team title since 1994.

Bailey was able to outduel defending champion Janelle Bush of Western Illinois by draining a 12-foot putt on the last hole for an overall 7-over-par 152, beating Bush by one stroke.

“Lisa has been our rock and foundation throughout this season,” coach Pam Tyska said. “She puts the scores on the board and still has the time to pat her teammates on the back and make them better.”

Behind Bailey’s career-best 73 and an 81 by older sister Jackie, the Huskies were able to open up a four-stroke lead after day one. This marked the first time this season the team led after the first day.

“It was the first time this team actually got to sleep on a lead and try to hold onto it and they held up remarkably,” Tyska said.

“Remarkably” means expanding their lead from four strokes on day one to 20 strokes by the end of day two, solidifying the team’s title with an overall 644 for the two-day tournament.

The Huskies will try to keep their recent success going as they leave today for the Hawkeye Intercollegiate in Iowa.