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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Junior guard Alecia Doyle (22) tries to gain separation while graduate student forward Brooke Stonebraker (34) stands open on Nov. 6 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Doyle and Stonebraker each scored 17 points in a 67-60 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sunday. (Joseph Segreti | Northern Star)

Stonebraker, Doyle lead win over Milwaukee

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | November 24, 2024

NIU women’s basketball (3-2) took down the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2-5) by a score of 67-60 on Sunday for the Huskies first road win over the Panthers since 1995. The Huskies shot 46% from the field on the day while going 8-for-18 from...

On her way to the basket, NIU women's basketball junior guard Alecia Doyle approaches a University of Iowa defender Nov. 6 during the Huskies' 91-73 defeat. Doyle scored a season-high 21 points Wednesday as NIU defeated the Chicago State University Cougars 77-68. (Joseph Segreti | Northern Star)

Huskies hold off Cougars’ late-game rally in win

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | November 20, 2024

After traveling Wednesday to the southside of Chicago, NIU women’s basketball defeated the winless Chicago State University Cougars 77-68.  “This will be one we go back and look at and have to continue to challenge each other,” said NIU women’s...

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...

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 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...

Senior guard Jayden Marable (3) ducks under Western Michigan senior guard Gabi Saxman (10) in a drive to the basket. Marable contributed 11 points in the Huskies' loss on Wednesday. (Katherine Follmer | Northern Star)

No shot for women’s basketball against Western Michigan

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 14, 2024

DeKALB – Poor shooting plagued NIU women’s basketball (11-12, 4-7 MAC) as the Huskies were thwarted by the Western Michigan University Broncos (10-12, 5-6 MAC) by a score of 65-47. The Huskies shot just 34% from the field and went 1-for-15 from...

Senior forward Brooke Stonebraker shoots a jump hook over an Eastern Illinois University opponent on Dec. 18, 2023. Stonebraker is currently second in the MAC in rebounds and third among forwards in points per game. (Northern Star file photo)

COLUMN: Creating the MAC women’s basketball All-Star team

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 1, 2024

With the NBA All-Star Game right around the corner and conference play for MAC basketball at its halfway point, now is the perfect time to draft an All-Star team for women’s basketball in the MAC. Without a formal All-Star Game in place to combine...

A graphic shows senior forward Brooke Stonebraker as the Huskie of the Week. Stonebraker has combined for 31 points and 22 rebounds over NIU women's basketball's past two games. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Stonebraker claims first career Huskie of the Week honor

By Northern Star Sports Staff | January 16, 2024

DeKALB – Senior forward Brooke Stonebraker notched NIU women’s basketball’s second Huskie of the Week honor of the 2023-24 season. Stonebraker scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the Huskies’ (8-7, 2-2 MAC) 67-62 win over the Ohio University...

Then-redshirt sophomore guard Sidney McCrea (2) looks to pass the ball after gaining possession on Jan. 25 against Kent State. The Huskies defeated Radford University in their first game of the November Clasico. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Women’s basketball dominates first game of November Clasico

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | November 24, 2023

NIU women’s basketball (2-3) kicked off their first game of the November Clasico with a 72-55 win over the Radford University Highlanders (2-5). Lights out three-point shooting boosted the Huskies in the win despite 18 turnovers.  The Huskies finished...

Kim Goranson sitting in the crowd to support her son, senior guard Kaleb Thornton, during NIU Men's Basketball's Mid-American Conference tournament showdown against the Kent State University Golden Flashes on Thursday in Cleveland. Goranson drove from Bolingbrook, IL to see her son on the MAC's biggest stage. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Huskie parents support their stars on the big stage

By Alex Crowe and Joseph Segreti | March 9, 2023

DeKALB – The Mid-American Conference basketball tournament in Cleveland brought people from all over the Midwest to watch NIU basketball.  Friends and family members of players were in attendance to watch their athletes play at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse,...