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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Women’s basketball season recap

By Jacob Onak | March 19, 2013

There is no question that it was a tough season for the men’s and women’s basketball programs, but the women’s basketball team really had its back against the wall at the end of the season. The Huskies ended the season with a 7-23 overall record...

Injuries might keep new U.S. soccer lineup from a World Cup

By Jacob Onak | March 18, 2013

Jurgen Klinsmann, U.S. soccer head coach, has released his 23-man roster for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico. As we see in the roster selection, injuries have really put the U.S.’s back against the wall. The Yanks will...

Womens basketball falls to Central Michigan

By Jacob Onak | March 3, 2013

In its final home game of the season, the women’s basketball team was routed by the Central Michigan Chippewas, 82-61. Senior forward Shaakira Haywood was proud of the way NIU started the Senior Day game. “I definitely think we started out really...

Women’s basketball falls to Eastern Michigan Eagles, 54-45

By Jacob Onak | February 28, 2013

The women’s basketball team (7-20, 2-12 MAC) fell to the Eastern Michigan Eagles (8-19, 6-8 MAC), 54-45, but it wasn’t for a lack of heart. “I don’t think we can play harder, especially in the second half,” said NIU head coach Kathi Bennett....

Northern Star Newspaper Preview 2/11/13

February 10, 2013

The Northern Star's editors give you the scoop on what's inside the day's newspaper. In today's edition: SA Senate Meeting Recap Brian Posehn Comedy Show Coverage Women's Softball Recap Mikimoto Review And more...

Northern Star

Women’s basketball defeats Kent State

By Jacob Onak | February 10, 2013

NIU women's basketball won back-to-back games for the fourth time this season.

The Huskies (9-11, 3-5 MAC) defeated Kent State (5-13, 4-4 MAC) 66-55 Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

"Overall, they played better than we did," said Kent State coach Bob Lindsay. "We weren't very consistent out there today."

NIU was on fire to open the game, shooting 71 percent from the field and knocking down its first five three pointers.

Senior Courtney Shelton set the tone offensively for the Huskies, scoring a game-high 23 points and hitting five of 10 shots from beyond the arc.

"As a team, we were really just attacking gaps, getting people open," Shelton said. "A lot of people got good looks tonight, and we were knocking down shots. That's a good feeling, and it gives us confidence heading into our next couple games."

The Huskies had a lead as high as 18 points in the first half as the game looked like it may have been a blowout.

But once NIU cooled off shooting from the field, the Golden Flashes slowly chipped away at the deficit and came back multiple times to pull within a couple possessions.

However, Kent State couldn't get over that final hurdle to take a lead.

"We were disappointing in places," Lindsay said. "We cut the lead to five a couple of different times, gave up an offensive rebound, gave up a play that we shouldn't have given up and that hurt us."

The Huskies have a defense-first mentality, but the offense has slowly started to come together, making them more of a threat as the season continues.

"I think it's because we have some confidence with the ball," said NIU coach Kathi Bennett. "We're poised, our spacing is so much better and we believe in ourselves that we can attack gaps and make shots."

NIU was one again highly successful from the free throw line, shooting 82 percent as a team.

Freshmen Claire Jakubicek and Amanda Corral joined Shelton by putting up double digit points for the second consecutive game. Both also flirted with a double-double as they each had eight rebounds.

After the six game losing streak the Huskies had over winter break, the team has found a rhythm during a critical point in the year.

"We've been consistent in practice ever since the Buffalo game," Bennett said. "I think sometimes you really got to get in a valley to wake up. I think we've really executed well offensively, we have a tact, we read our defense, share the ball, we're playing really good basketball on both ends right now."

Womens gymnastics pull a win over Missouri

By Jacob Onak | February 3, 2013

The gymnastics team returned home on Saturday as it narrowly defeated Southeast Missouri Redhawks 192.875-192.775. NIU head coach Sam Morreale said he was proud of the way his team performed in the meet despite having to come from behind to grab the win....

U.S. soccer to take on Canada in World Cup qualifier

By Jacob Onak | January 28, 2013

The United States Men’s National (USMNT) team will take on the Canadian Men’s National team in a World Cup qualifier (WCQ) preparation game today. U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann concluded his two-week preparation camp with 23 players from both Major...

Women’s gymnastics triumphs over Bowling Green

By Jacob Onak | January 21, 2013

The NIU women’s gymnastics team showed heart and composure as they came from behind to defeat the Bowling Green State Falcons 192.775-192.525 in their MAC home opener. The Huskies got off to a slow start in their first two events: vault and bars. In...

Dick’s Sporting Good Park is perfect for U.S. soccer team

By Jacob Onak | January 15, 2013

The U.S. Soccer Federation (U.S.S.F.) announced Tuesday that it has chosen Dick’s Sporting Good Park, in Commerce City, Colo., to host the United States’ first home World Cup Qualifier match. Now, I know many of you have not realized how early a qualifying...

Women’s basketball looks to kick off MAC play over break

By Jacob Onak | December 9, 2012

A tough road test is waiting for NIU women’s basketball as it looks to sharpen up its game and look ahead to the start of MAC conference play in January. The Huskies (3-4) will be out on the road for five out of six games during winter break and coach...

Hoelmenn brings size, defensive power to women’s basketball

By Jacob Onak | December 9, 2012

NIU women’s basketball isn’t the biggest or tallest team that you are going to see in college basketball, but one player that gives it size is freshman McKenzie Hoelmenn. Hoelmenn is out of Lakeville, Minn., and is listed as a 6’2” forward/center....