Going into Wednesday’s game at Central Michigan, the NIU women’s basketball team thought that contest would be the last road game of the season.

But after losing to last place CMU, the Huskies (11-14, 7-7 MAC) are in danger of losing a home game in the first round of the MAC Tournament.

The Huskies hold the No. 8 seed in the conference, the last seed to get a home game, heading into their 7:05 p.m. Saturday’s matchup with Toledo (18-7, 11-3 MAC) at the Convocation Center.

“Toledo has a strong inside game,” NIU coach Carol Hammerle said. “They are very deliberate and patient on offense. We haven’t been able to handle that well.”

One key ingredient will be missing from Toledo’s lineup when they travel to DeKalb.

Forward Tia Davis, the third leading scorer in the MAC, has missed action since Feb. 2 when she ruptured her left patella tendon in a game against Western Michigan.

Davis is averaging 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists this season. All three stats rank in the top 15 in the conference.

“Everyone has to pick up the slack when a player goes out,” Hammerle said. “Mary Blessing as a point guard has done a good job and so has Kelly Walker, filling in for Davis.”

Toledo has already clinched a first-round bye for a fourth consecutive year in the MAC Tournament. The Rockets also will be guaranteed a No. 3 seed or higher for the 10th-consecutive season as a result of its victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

Toledo is currently tied with Ball State for first place in the MAC West Division.

For the Huskies, Jennifer Youngblood got back on track with a double-double against Central Michigan. Joi Scott also chipped in with 18 points for NIU.

“At this point in time, everybody is jockeying for position in the tournament,” Toledo coach Mark Ehlen said. “Saturday’s game is an important game for both teams. Northern is a very balanced team, which plays good team defense and has a good inside-outside game. It should be a tough test as they play extremely well on their home floor.”