The NIU women’s basketball team gave the ball away 19 times, gave Toledo 14 offensive rebounds and more importantly, gave the game to the Rockets 62-60.

The Huskies (9-10 overall, 4-4 MAC) shot 54.8 percent from the floor and outrebounded Toledo (10-9, 6-2) 32-28, but the same things that had killed the Huskies in the past – allowing offensive rebounds and getting off to a slow start – seemed to do so once again on Saturday, NIU coach Carol Hammerle said.

“We started the game and turned the ball over six times in the first four minutes,” Hammerle said. “They were pressuring us, and we didn’t handle it well. We finally settled down and did some good things, but it’s the same old story. Nineteen turnovers and 14 offensive rebounds. We shot the ball well, but only got 42 attempts, and yet we’re still in position to win the game at the end. We have to wonder what we could do if we took care of those things earlier on.”

Sophomore Joi Scott led the way for NIU with 13 points. Senior forwards Stephanie Smith and Jennifer Youngblood each added 12 points. Youngblood, who is second in the MAC with a 9.7 rebounds-per-game average, had a season-low four caroms.

The Huskies trailed the entire game, getting as close as two points eight times. The Rockets began the game on a 7-0 run and enjoyed their biggest lead after Danielle Bishop connected on a three pointer to make the game 12-4.

Toledo guard Kelly Walker was held to 0-of-7 shooting from three-point range. She leads the MAC in three pointers made with 46.

The Huskies now have lost 10 of 11 meetings total at Toledo’s Savage Hall.