Led by career-night performances from seniors Dee Dee Jeske and Tracy Mondek, the NIU women’s basketball team pulled out a North Star Conference victory Thursday.

Jeske and Mondek finished with 25 and 23 points, respectively, as the Huskies edged host Cleveland State 117-115 in overtime. The 232 total combined points marks an NIU school record for a women’s game.

Mondek and Jeske also finished with career highs in rebounds, 13 and 10, respectively. Cindy Conner also had a double-double with 25 points and 13 boards, and E.C. Hill, making the start at the point, added 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

“We just found a way to win it,” NIU head coach Jane Albright-Dieterle said. “Our two seniors triggered us tonight. Tracy responded to starting, and Dee Dee responded to coming off the bench.”

It was nip-and-tuck the entire night as neither team enjoyed a lead of more than seven. The Vikings (5-16, 2-5) held the advantage, 49-48, at halftime behind 15 points from Lanette Taylor, who finished with a career-high 38 points and 20 rebounds.

The Huskies used an 8-0 run in overtime to seal the victory. Down 109-107 at the 3:06 mark, two baskets by Jeske and one each by Conner and Mondek made it 115-109 with 43 seconds left.

“We really pulled together as a team and found a way to win,” an elated Albright-Dieterle said. “E.C played her best game this year.

“Taylor had her career-everything tonight. CSU is better than its record indicates. We’re just excited about winning.”

The Huskies (11-8, 6-1) hope the points keep coming as they venture into Akron Saturday for a 4 p.m. tipoff with the Zips.