DeKALB — The women’s basketball team have now lost three straight games after sustaining a 96-44 blowout loss against the Drake University Bulldogs Sunday afternoon. 

The Huskies were held to a season-low 44 points and were shut out in the fourth quarter. 

NIU began productively on the offensive side, shooting 66% from the paint in the first quarter. NIU scored three of its first four baskets in the paint, trying to set a tone that it would ultimately not be able to sustain throughout the game. NIU junior forward Ajah Davis continued to struggle Sunday as she shot 26% on 15 shots.

The Huskies were also shorthanded as junior forward Mikayla Brandon, one of NIU’s best shooters, was sidelined with a lower body injury. NIU shot 1-7 from the three-point line in the first and 6-30 for the entire game. 

Drake took an early 5-0 lead following a three-point field goal by junior guard Megan Meyer and layup by freshman forward Anna Miller. Drake would extend its lead to 25-19 by the end of the first quarter. 

The second quarter was comparable to a roller coaster ride. The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 31-19 after two-straight layups by Miller, who had a game-high 18 points. The Huskies responded with a 12-0 run that featured back-to-back three pointers by redshirt senior guard Janae Poisson and junior guard Chelby Koker. NIU eventually tied the game 33-33 with five minutes left in the half.  

The Bulldogs followed that run with one of their own, scoring eight straight points on an 18-2 run to end the quarter and take a 51-35 lead. 

The third quarter was headlined by Drake as they took their largest lead of the game with 1:18 to go in the quarter, leading 79-41. The Bulldogs shot 61% from the field, including 3-5 from the three-point line. The Huskies defense struggled against a Bulldogs offense that averages 76.4 points per game.

“We weren’t very disciplined at times,” Carlsen said. “We gave up way too many points in the paint, off-cuts and wide open layups. Anytime you do that, you’re asking for trouble, no matter what offense you play.” 

The Huskies lost all momentum in the fourth quarter as they were unable to score. Starting the quarter with all starters off the court, NIU shot 0-15 from the field. Drake posted 17 points on 31% shooting, the only quarter it shot under 50%. 

NIU will look to rebound from Sunday’s road defeat as they remain on the road to take on DePaul University Thursday at 7 p.m.