Defensive displays push NIU past WMU
Head coach Lisa Carlsen earns 100th win at NIU
Graduate guard Nia Ahart (left) advances past the 3-point line whilst being defended by Western Michigan sophomore guard Megan Wagner during Saturday’s game in DeKalb. The Huskies defeated the Broncos 73-55 at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. (Zohair Khan/Northern Star)
In a great defensive display, the Huskies defeated the Western Michigan University Broncos Saturday 73-55 in a great defensive display at home in DeKalb.
How it happened
NIU had an outstanding first-half performance as they scored 40 points and shot 59.3%. NIU hit shots and did a good job defensively on the Broncos. They scored 24 of the 40 points in the second quarter.
Junior forward A’Jah Davis and sophomore guard Jayden Marable combined for 14 points in the first quarter. Davis had eight points and Marable had six points. WMU shot horribly in the first quarter, going 24% from the field and 14.3% from the three-point line.
The Huskies continued their offensive dominance as they shot 71.4% from the field and 60% from the three-point line. Marable scored six points in the second quarter as she could hit shots. NIU went on a 14-0 run late in the second quarter during the last five minutes of the half.
NIU was up at halftime by 19, 40-21. Marable led all scorers at the half with 12 points.
The Huskies had a great three-point shooting performance in the third quarter as they shot 4-for-7 from the three-point line. Huskies continued to do a great job defensively on the Broncos as they shot 29% from the field.
The Broncos outscored the Huskies in the fourth quarter 23-12. WMU shot 30% in the fourth but that wasn’t enough as the Huskies won 73-55.
Davis led all scorers with 18 points and had 10 rebounds. Marable scored right alongside Davis as she had 16 points.
Thoughts from Coach Carlsen
Carlsen’s thoughts on second quarter performance:
“I think for the most part, we did good defensively and that turned into offensive success,” Carlsen said.
Carlsen’s thoughts on great defensive performance:
“We talked a lot about what we need to do as a team defensively and how we need to set the tone,” Carlsen said.
The end result
NIU’s overall record is 11-13 with an 8-8 in the Mid-American Conference. Western Michigan’s overall record goes to 14-10 with a record of 8-7 in the MAC.
The Huskies will remain at home as they play Eastern Michigan University at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday. The game will be available on ESPN+.
