After more than three months of learning coach Carol Hammerle’s defensive system, NIU women’s basketball players finally started to pick it up Monday night against Western Michigan.

And it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Tonight, the Huskies welcome Ball State’s Cardinals, the top offensive team in the Mid-American Conference and sixth-best in the country at 82.6 points per game. NIU will try to slow down the Cardinals’ up-tempo game and contain Ball State’s Tamara Bowie, who pumps in an average 18.5 points a contest.

“Controlling the pace is going to be a big part of the game,” freshman guard Lindsay Secrest said. “With our defense, if we play it right, we’ll be able to control the game.”

The Huskies (12-14 overall, 8-5 MAC West) will have extra motivation to win as seniors Mickey Johnson and Kim Moore play their last regular season game at Chick Evans Field House. NIU also expects sophomore Kristan Knake to return after suffering a concussion two weeks ago.

With Monday night’s 75-65 whipping of Western Michigan, the Huskies have a first-round home game in the upcoming MAC tournament for the first time in Hammerle’s three years as NIU coach.

“I think it’s going to be one of our tougher games,” Secrest said. “We really need to win it to earn some respect in the MAC.”

Freshman forward Jennifer Youngblood tallied 26 points and 10 rebounds Monday, giving her a MAC-best 10 double-doubles. But her defense will be key tonight, as well as that of Johnson, who played just 20 minutes against Western Michigan because of foul trouble.NIc hansen photo

The Huskies know defense is key tonight against Ball State’s Cardinals.