Carrying a sign with the number 1,000 into the postgame press conference, Mickey Johnson could no longer mask her excitement.

The senior center joined 17 of the greatest players in NIU women’s basketball history when she reached 1,000 career points against Central Michigan on Saturday night. Johnson hopped into the lane and scooped in a layup with 2:30 remaining in the first half, giving her the 1,000th and 1,001st points of her career.

The Oak Park native’s 14 points and game-high 9 rebounds helped lead the Huskies to a 72-55 victory over the Chippewas for their seventh victory in the last nine games.

Johnson joins all-time NIU greats such as E.C. Hill and Charmonique Stallworth, who just minutes earlier competed in the alumni game on the same court.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” a blushing Johnson said of her milestone.

She literally swatted away Central Michigan’s last hope for victory with an in-your-face block on Vershaun Jones with the Chippewas trailing 63-53 late in the second half.

But Johnson’s defense wasn’t the only thing clicking. Her intangibles also played a role, as she managed to stay out of foul trouble, committing none in the first half and just two for the game.

“The last three games, I think Mickey’s been playing very well,” NIU coach Carol Hammerle said. “I think she’s been very consistent, and she hasn’t been in foul trouble. I think she’s probably been playing her best basketball. Can she get better? Absolutely.”

While Johnson relishes her accomplishment, she knows her team could have played better against the struggling Chippewas, who fell to 3-16 overall and remain winless in the Mid-American Conference West at 0-8. NIU (9-11, 5-2 MAC) shot 70 percent in the second half and 63 percent for the game but committed 24 turnovers.

“We’re happy with the win,” Johnson said. “But we’re not satisfied. We should have accomplished a lot more.”