The NIU women’s basketball team started Winter Break with a loss and finished with a pair of MAC defeats as it fell below .500 on the season.

The Huskies (5-8 overall, 0-2 MAC) lost six of the eight games they played over Winter Break.

Southeast Missouri State 59, NIU 57: The Huskies weren’t able to capitalize on a season-high 16 points and 13 rebounds from Jennifer Youngblood as they fell to 3-3.

Rachel Sillar’s free-throw with 1:43 put NIU up 57-56. After a Southeast Missouri State field goal and a free throw put them up two, NIU was unable to get off a final shot.

Freshman guard Stephanie Raymond added 10 points for the Huskies.

NIU 67, St. Louis 61: Joi Scott scored a team-high 14 points to lead the Huskies (4-3) to the non-conference win.

Jennifer Youngblood added 12 points and 10 rebounds in recording her 29th career double-double

Bradley 53, NIU 48: Bradley broke a five-game losing streak despite 16 points and five steals from NIU’s Monique Davis.

After the Braves hit a pair of free throws with 16 seconds remaining, the Huskies (4-4) missed three shots before time ran out.

New Mexico State 60, NIU 55: A 12-point lead with 12:38 remaining wasn’t enough for the Huskies (4-5) as they lost their second consecutive game.

Senior forward Lindsay Secrest was the only NIU player to score in double digits, finishing with 10 points.

NIU 62, Texas El Paso 59: The Huskies were able to overcome an 11-point deficit in the second half as they broke a two-game losing streak.

Lindsay Secrest scored a game-high 13 points to lead NIU (5-5). Jennifer Youngblood and Kristin Wiener added 12 and 11 points respectively for the Huskies.

DePaul 70, NIU 60: The 20th-ranked Blue Demons opened the game on a 19-0 run as they improved to 12-1 on the season.

NIU (5-6) was led by Joi Scott’s 17 points, while Lindsay Secrest added 11.

Jennifer Youngblood finished with a game-high 13 rebounds and six points despite missing the final 10:18 after a collision with another player.

Western Michigan 80, NIU 73: The Broncos got a game-high 32 points from Casey Rost as they spoiled NIU’s MAC opener.

Lindsay Secrest scored a team-high 19 points for the Huskies (5-7, 0-1). Joi Scott added 16 for NIU in the loss.

Bowling Green 66, NIU 58: Winter Break ended much like the way it started for the Huskies, who lost again.

The Falcons used a 16-0 run early in the game as the Huskies (5-8, 0-2) remained winless in MAC play.

Lindsay Secrest scored a season-high 22 points to lead NIU.