With MAC tournament time quickly approaching, the NIU women’s basketball team hopes to shed its five-game losing streak as it travels to Bowling Green for a 6 p.m. game tonight.

Last season against Bowling Green, Jennifer Youngblood hit a three-point shot in the final seconds to snare the win. At this season’s first meeting, Bowling Green handed the Huskies a 66-58 loss in DeKalb.

“What will offer us motivation is that they beat us here already,” Youngblood said. “I don’t think we’re thinking too much about last year, but I’m sure they are. Most recently, they beat us here, and I think we need to return the favor.”

During their five-game skid, the Huskies have averaged 20.2 turnovers per game, including 20 on Saturday against Eastern Michigan. The 20 turnovers led to 22 Eastern Michigan points.

“With each game, we’re trying to get better,” NIU coach Carol Hammerle said. “We can play with anybody; we just haven’t finished. Look at all of our scores: Toledo by two, Akron by one – it’s so close. One more shot, one less turnover, and we would have won.”

Despite the team’s recent slide, Hammerle said she feels the team is improving.

“Every loss has a factor, and every time you lose at home, it hurts,” Hammerle said. “If we go out to Bowling Green and play like we did [against Eastern Michigan], we’ll get a win.”