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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Redshirt sophomore forward Brooke Blumenfeld (41) looks for someone to pass to while University Louisiana at Lafayette sophomore forward Uniyah Franklin (15) guards her on Monday. Blumenfeld led the Huskies with 18 points as NIU lost to the University of St. Thomas 75-68 on Sunday. (Katherine Follmer | Northern Star)

Huskies fall short of a comeback in loss to St. Thomas

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | November 10, 2024

DeKALB – Despite a late-game push, NIU women’s basketball (1-2) failed to overcome the University of St. Thomas Tommies (3-0), losing 75-68.  “I think you got to give St. Thomas a lot of credit, you know, especially out of the locker room, I...

The NIU women's basketball team groups together before its game against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns on Monday. After traveling to face off against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes on Wednesday, the Huskies fell to the Hawkeyes 91-73. (Northern Star File Photo)

Koker-less Huskies fall to Iowa in Big Ten road trip

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | November 6, 2024

IOWA CITY, IA – NIU women’s basketball (1-1) entered the national stage Wednesday, facing off against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0). The Huskies couldn’t keep up, falling 91-73.  NIU played in front of a sold out crowd, as it was the...

Sophomore guard Shannon Blacher (12) and junior forward Reagan Barkema (23) chest bump in celebration after Barkema's three-pointer tied the game at 55-55 against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns on Monday. The Huskies overcame the Ragin' Cajuns 57-55 in their home and season opener. (Katie Follmer | Northern Star)

Huskies snatch late-game comeback victory over Louisiana in home opener

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | November 4, 2024

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball (1-0) left its home opener victorious after defeating the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (0-1) 57-55.  “I think it's one of those games where I was really proud of our ability to stick...

Then-redshirt junior guard Sidney McCrea (2) signals to her teammates as she dribbles the ball up the court against Bowling Green State University on Feb. 24. McCrea led NIU women's basketball in three-point shooting percentage in 2023-24 with 37.6%. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies enter 2024-2025 season behind experienced core, fresh talent

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | October 29, 2024

With its 2024 campaign igniting Monday, NIU women’s basketball enters the season with something to prove.  “They (NIU’s returning athletes) feel like they have something to prove,” said NIU women’s basketball head coach Lisa Carlsen. “Leaving...

The NIU women's basketball team huddles together on Feb.10 after a win over Georgia Southern University. The 2024-25 women's basketball non-conference schedule was released on Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s basketball releases full 2024-25 schedule

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 13, 2024

NIU athletics announced the release of NIU women’s basketball’s non-conference schedule Friday after releasing the Mid-American Conference schedule in August.  The Huskies enter a national stage on Nov. 6 facing off against the University of Iowa...

Senior forward Brooke Stonebraker shoots a jump hook over an Eastern Illinois University opponent on Dec. 18, 2023. In her first year as a starter, Stonebraker finished the 2023-24 season as the Huskies leader in points and rebounds. (Northern Star File Photo)

Stonebraker and the patient path to stardom

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | March 21, 2024

A towering presence resides in the paint at the Convocation Center, but the rise of senior forward Brooke Stonebraker didn’t happen overnight. Basketball was a natural fixture in Stonebraker’s life at an early age. Her first position on a team...

Senior guard Jayden Marable (3) scans the court on offense during the fourth quarter against Bowling Green State University on Feb. 24. Marable scored 6 points in the Huskies' 63-60 defeat to Kent State University in the MAC Tournament Wednesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Women’s basketball eliminated by Kent State in MAC Tournament

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | March 15, 2024

NIU women’s basketball (15-16, 8-10 MAC) fell short in its upset bid against Kent State University (19-10, 13-5 MAC) as the Golden Flashes won 63-60. The Huskies are now 1-10 against the Golden Flashes since 2019, including a first round playoff...

Senior forward Brooke Stonebraker (34) looks to put up a shot past Bowling Green defenders. Stonebraker had 13 points and nine rebounds as the Huskies lost to Bowling Green Saturday 82-73. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies clinch No. 6 seed in MAC Tournament with win over WMU

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 10, 2024

NIU women’s basketball (15-15, 8-10 MAC) wrapped up its regular season with a thriller, overcoming the Western Michigan University Broncos (12-17, 7-11 MAC)  66-64. The Huskies secured the victory with a free throw from redshirt senior guard Grace...

Junior guard Laura Nickel (32) pushes through Miami University graduate student guard Jordan Tuff (1) while driving towards the paint. Nickel scored 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds off the bench in a 56-46 win over the RedHawks. (Courtesy of Miami Athletics)

Women’s basketball clinches MAC Tournament berth with win over Miami

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | March 7, 2024

NIU women’s basketball (14-15, 7-10 MAC) punched its ticket to the MAC Tournament as late three-point shooting and strong bench play led a 56-46 win over the Miami University RedHawks (8-20, 5-12 MAC). A 15-0 run from the Huskies to end the third...

Redshirt junior guard Sidney McCrea (2) signals to her teammates as she dribbles the ball up the court against Bowling Green State University Feb. 24. McCrea earned her first career double-double in a 69-54 loss to University of Akron Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies drop third straight after falling to Akron

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 2, 2024

NIU women’s basketball (13-15, 6-10 MAC) picked up it’s third-straight loss after falling to the University of Akron Zips (10-17, 5-11 MAC) 69-54.  Poor shooting held the Huskies back, as they finished 32.8% from the field and 21.4% from three-point...

Senior guard Jayden Marable (3) scans the court on offense against Bowling Green State University on Feb. 24. Marable scored 19 points in a 74-61 loss to the University of Toledo Rockets Wednesday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies fall to Wiard-led Rockets in final home game of the season

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | February 29, 2024

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball (13-14, 6-9 MAC) fell to the University of Toledo Rockets (22-4, 14-1 MAC) 74-61 in it’s last home game of the season.  Fifth-year guard Sophia Wiard paved the way for the Rockets, scoring 16 points and dishing...

Senior forward Brooke Stonebraker (34) attempts to box out Bowling Green State University senior forward Sophie Dziekan (3). Stonebraker scored 13 points in a 82-73 loss to the Falcons Saturday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Women’s basketball falls short in offensive outburst

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 24, 2024

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball (13-13, 6-8 MAC) drops 82-73 shootout as the Bowling Green State University Falcons (14-11, 8-6 MAC) soared on the back of junior guard Amy Velasco. Velasco was a powerhouse on both sides of the ball, accumulating...