With team captain Kristan Knake out with a concussion, Kim Boeding and Monique Davis stepped up at opposite ends of the court against Toledo on Wednesday night.

NIU coach Carol Hammerle said Knake’s absence hurt the Huskies (11-14 overall, 7-5 Mid-American Conference West), especially on the defensive end. She also said that Davis stiffened her defense on Toledo’s speedy point guard Mary Blessing, and had 6 steals during the contest. Without Knake’s 12.4 points per game, the Huskies lacked offensive punch, but Boeding sparked the Huskies with her shooting, netting 12 points during the Huskies’ 70-51 loss.

“Basically she was our leader out on the court,” Hammerle said. “She talked. She wanted the ball. I think that says a lot.”

Boeding netted 8 points in the first half to go along with three rebounds and two steals. She said the Huskies had trouble settling down against Toledo’s pressure defense, and frequently talked to her teammates.

“I was trying to get them pumped up and get us focused on the game and what needed to be done,” Boeding said.

Despite Boeding’s efforts, the team got buried trailing 34-18. Freshman forward Jen Youngblood got off just one shot attempt in the first half, while senior center Mickey Johnson went just 1 of 5. Boeding made adjustments to Toledo’s stifling defense hanging or fading left at times to get her shots.

“I think [Boeding is] a good shooter,” said Toledo coach Mark Ehlen. “We know she’s not a 3-point shooter, but you leave her open, she’s going to hit some shots. She was able to get off the dribble and knock down some jumpers.”

Davis, who had netted a career performance against Kent State last week, scored just 5 points, but Hammerle said her pressure defense has helped the Huskies during recent games. Davis’ defensive efforts help force 27 turnovers against Rockets, who currently rank first in the MAC.

“I think she’s very capable,” Hammerle said. “She’s aggressive. She’s strong. She moves well. And I really think the way she plays defense a lot of times can intimidate the offensive player.”

But Davis has struggled from the field averaging just 2.1 points in 25.2 minutes a game. Hammerle believes her freshman point guard can be an offensive threat, but said she needs to be more aggressive.

“Now she needs to start focusing on the offense and use her instincts,” Hammerle said. “She’s a very unselfish player and she’s looking to distribute, and I need her to be more of scoring threat.”