Going into the first round MAC game, NIU women’s coach Carol Hammerle knew her team would have to control the offensive glass to be successful.

Hammerle’s team did anything but in a 70-58 loss to Marshall (12-16) on March 8 at the Convocation Center.

The Thundering Herd avenged an 81-74 regular season loss by collecting 49 rebounds, compared to NIU’s 31.

“This game is the best example of the importance of doing the little things,” Hammerle said. “We didn’t control the offensive boards. That was the difference in the game. They could throw up whatever shots they wanted and then get second and third chances.”

NIU (12-16) was able to jump out to a 37-32 halftime lead behind three players with first half double-figure performances. Lindsay Secrest contributed 11, while Kristan Knake and Jennifer Youngblood added 10 apiece.

However, Knake and Youngblood were able to combine for only seven points in the second half as the Thundering Herd outscored NIU 38-21 after intermission.

“In the second half, we were doing some good things and were able to get a nine-point lead,” Hammerle said. “That’s when [Marshall] elevated their game and we didn’t respond.”

Marshall placed four players in double figures led by Sikeetha Shepard-Hall with 20.

As for the Huskies, Knake capped her career in elite NIU company. In her final game as a Huskie, Knake scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out five assists.

Knake is now one of only four NIU players with 1,200 points, 300 assists and 200 steals.

The loss to Marshall ended an injury-plagued season for the Huskies.

Jamie Wilson and Elizabeth Strobel missed the entire season with injuries while Kim Boeding missed much of the conference season with vertigo. Knake also missed two games with an ankle injury.

“This has been a very frustrating year,” Hammerle said. “Coming in, my expectations were very high. We needed more help off the bench. We began relying too much on our starting five and didn’t get production off the bench.”

Marshall had only a brief stay in Cleveland for the MAC Tournament before losing to No. 1 seeded Toledo.