NIU women’s basketball coach Carol Hammerle said she believes defense wins games on the road. Hammerle also knows her Huskies will need to accept the challenge as they travel to Miami-Ohio to take on the most potent offense in the MAC.

The RedHawks and Huskies will play at 7 p.m. today in Miami’s first home conference game of the season.

The Huskies (7-8 overall, 2-2 MAC) boast the fifth best defense in the MAC, allowing 62.5 points a game. However, Miami (8-6, 2-1) is averaging 77.4 points a game, led by Colleen Day, who is third in the conference in scoring at 14.9 points per game.

The RedHawks also have four other players who average in double digits.

In three conference games, Miami has averaged 86 points a game.

“Their top player is Colleen Day,” Hammerle said. “She can post up or step back for the three; she’s tough. They also have very good, strong perimeter players in Amanda Jackson and Cindi Merrill.”

The Huskies have won two consecutive games, most recently beating Ohio 78-71 Saturday at the Convocation Center.

Hammerle has changed the lineup around to ensure a quicker, more aggressive start.

She said that barring a change in shootaround, the lineup will consist of freshman Stephanie Raymond at point guard, Rachel Sillar at the other guard, Jennifer Youngblood and Alyssa Verdegan at forwards and sophomore Joi Scott at center.

Leading scorer Lindsay Secrest once again will see an abundance of time, but off the bench, Hammerle said.

“It’s exciting to have so many players that I can rotate in and out,” Hammerle said. “I’ve been waiting for this for quite some time. I think playing all these players a lot of minutes helps with team chemistry, and come tournament time, it will be in our favor.”