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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU women's basketball graduate student Brooke Stonebraker drives toward the hoop, making contact with a University of Iowa defender in NIU's 91-73 loss against Iowa on Nov. 6. This season, the Huskies currently sit at a record of 3-3. (Joseph Segreti | Northern Star)

MILLER: Three takeaways from the NIU women’s basketball 2024-2025 season

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | December 3, 2024

Nearly a month into the 2024-2025 season, the NIU women’s basketball team sits at a record of 3-3, with an even win percentage of .500. Needless to say, the Huskies have a boatload of potential.  Here are my three takeaways after covering the team...

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...

Fifth year guard Chelby Koker (10) advances the ball down court past Kent State University junior guard Casey Santoro (0) on Jan. 25.  Koker racked up 21 points throughout the game at the NIU Convocation Center. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Koker earns preseason All-MAC First Team honors

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | November 2, 2023

For the second consecutive season, fifth-year guard Chelby Koker has been named to the preseason All-MAC First Team for women’s basketball through the coaches’ poll. Koker finished last season with 15.4 points per game and 3.4 assists per game,...

Huskies senior guard Chelby Koker (10) advances the ball down court past Kent State junior guard Casey Santoro (0) during the matchup Wednesday.  Koker racked up 21 points throughout the game at the NIU Convocation Center. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

3 Huskies bring home MAC honors

By Eddie Miller | March 7, 2023

DeKALB –  The Mid-American Conference announced the All-MAC teams and specialty awards given to players in the conference Tuesday. NIU women’s basketball had three players honored: senior forward A’Jah Davis, senior guard Chelby Koker and graduate...

Then-freshman guard Chelby Koker brings the ball up the court in the Huskies' Jan. 15 loss to Kent State University at the Convocation Center in 2020. (Araya Venegas/Northern Star)

Koker snags second MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week

By Northern Star Sports Staff | January 26, 2023

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball senior guard Chelby Koker earned her second Mid-American Conference Scholar Athlete of the Week of the 2022-23 season Wednesday following her pair of game performances this past week. Koker previously earned the honor...

NIU senior forward A'Jah Davis goes for a layup in the second period of the Huskies' Nov. 17 game against the Western Illinois University Leathernecks at the NIU Convocation Center. The Huskies posted 12 layups in Saturday's loss to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Saturday. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Huskies suffer home upset by winless SIUE

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 18, 2022
NIU's women's basketball was stunned by SIUE at home Saturday as the winless Cougars snapped the Huskies' eight-game win streak.
(From left) NIU senior guard Chelby Koker, sophomore forward Laura Nickel, a pair of Western Illinois University players and senior forward A'Jah Davis play during NIU's most recent home game, a 100-61 win over WIU on Nov. 17. Koker and Davis combined for 38 points in NIU's 67-56 win over Lindenwood University on Monday. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Koker, Davis push Huskies to eighth straight win

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 12, 2022

NIU women’s basketball has wrapped up its five-game road trip undefeated after prevailing 67-56 in its first ever meeting with Lindenwood University Monday, pushing the Huskies to their eighth straight win. A fourth quarter offensive stall by the...

Junior guard Chelby Koker prepares to engage with an Akron player in January. Koker surpassed a total of 1,000 career points scored in NIU's 79-67 victory over Akron in DeKalb last semester.

Huskies survive fourth-quarter surge by Southern Indiana

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | November 15, 2022

DeKALB – The NIU women’s basketball team managed to pick up a home win, 61-53, against the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles on Tuesday despite a poor shooting performance in the fourth quarter. Senior guard Chelby Koker and senior...

NIU senior guard Chelby Koker put up 24 points in her first regular season home game since suffering a season-ending injury during the 2021 season. (Graphic by Harrison Linden)

Koker claims Huskie of the Week after ‘boneyard’ win

By Northern Star Sports Staff | November 14, 2022

DeKALB – Senior guard Chelby Koker has become the first NIU women’s basketball player to earn Huskie of the Week honors, two days after NIU’s 86-79 defeat of the DePaul University Blue Demons on Saturday. Koker headed up NIU’s scoring efforts...

Women’s basketball downs DePaul in home opener

By Jermel Williams, Sports Reporter | November 12, 2022

DeKALB – The women's basketball team had a competitive game Saturday against DePaul University, defeating DePaul in an 86-79 victory. This win marks the first win against DePaul in their last 20 matchups and follows their tough loss against Notre Dame...