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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

All-Star: One skid stops, another keeps rolling

By Edison Miller and Skyler Kisellus | January 24, 2025

On this week's episode of All-Star, Sports Editor Edison Miller and Senior Sports Reporter Skyler Kisellus return to the studio to discuss NIU women's basketball's win at Eastern Michigan — the end of a five-game skid for the Huskies. On the men's side,...

NIU women's basketball junior guard Alecia Doyle (22), battles with University of Illinois Chicago senior guard Krystyna Ellew (14) in the Huskies' 69-66 loss against UIC on Nov. 27. The Huskies snapped a five-game losing streak Wednesday, overcoming Eastern Michigan University by a score of 78-70. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies snap five-game losing streak in comeback win over Eastern Michigan

By Edison MIller, Sports Editor | January 22, 2025

NIU women’s basketball snapped a five-game losing streak Wednesday with a 78-70 victory over the Eastern Michigan University Eagles. The Huskies won with a balanced offensive attack, featuring one player reaching a career-high, one matching a career-high...

NIU women's basketball head coach Lisa Carlsen speaks to the team during a timeout in it's game against the University of Illinois Chicago on Nov. 27. Sports editor Edison Miller discusses the Huskies' three biggest downfalls this season amid NIU's five-game losing streak. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Women’s basketball’s three biggest downfalls

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | January 21, 2025

Still in pursuit of its second Mid-American Conference win, NIU women’s basketball hasn’t lived up to its preseason expectations. After suffering a 74-60 loss against Bowling Green State University on Saturday, the Huskies are now 1-5 in the conference...

NIU women's basketball graduate student forward Brooke Stonebraker (34) boxes out a University of Iowa defender in pursuit of a rebound. Stonebraker had 5 points Saturday in the Huskies' 74-60 loss to Bowling Green State University. (Joseph Segreti | Northern Star)

Womens Basketball falls to Bowling Green, sparking five-game losing streak

By Edison Miller and Eric Avila | January 19, 2025

NIU women’s basketball (7-10, 1-5 MAC) dropped its fifth-straight Mid-American Conference game Saturday against the Bowling Green State University Falcons (9-8, 3-3 MAC). Despite three double-digit performances, the Huskies fell by a score of 74-60.  “A...

NIU women's basketball junior guard Alecia Doyle (22) dribbles the ball, confronting a Miami University RedHawk defender while NIU graduate forward Brooke Stonebraker (34) and NIU graduate guard Chelby Koker (10) prepare for a pass. The Huskies suffered a 73-52 loss to the RedHawks Wednesday at the Convocation Center. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Women’s basketball suffers fourth straight loss to Miami

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | January 16, 2025

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball suffered a 73-52 blowout Wednesday to the Miami University RedHawks, sparking a 4-game losing streak.  “Miami made it really difficult on the defensive end for us,” said women’s basketball head coach Lisa...

A graphic shows NIU student-athletes from various sports with arrows indicating highs and lows. Sports Editor Edison Miller shared the best and worst moments for Huskie sports over winter break. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

MILLER: Highs and lows for Huskie sports over winter break

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | January 14, 2025

While NIU’s students were relinquished of their duties for winter break, the Huskies’ student athletes continued business as usual.  Over the break, some teams shined while others couldn’t catch a break.   HIGH: FOOTBALL WINS FAMOUS IDAHO...

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, 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, 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, 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, Former 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...