Skip to Main Content

Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

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...

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...

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 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...

2022 redshirt senior guard Paulina Castro gives coach Lisa Carlsen a high five as the rest of the women's basketball team heads toward the sideline after its game against Bowling Green on Feb. 2, 2022. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s basketball adds 3 new recruits

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 13, 2023

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball head coach Lisa Carlsen announced three signings for the 2024-25 season Friday. The Huskies signed Makenzie Brass, Lexi Carlsen (Lisa Carlsen’s daughter) and Julia “Bubba” Sollberger to National Letters of...

NIU senior guard Chelby Koker drives to the basket as Miami University senior guard Peyton Scott defends during the Huskies’ home game against the RedHawks on January 18, 2023 at the NIU Convocation Center. Miami prevailed in a 74-69 contest. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Carlsen earns win No. 300 in upset over Bowling Green

By Jermel Williams, Sports Reporter | February 15, 2023

DeKALB – NIU women's basketball (13-11,5-8 MAC ) upset the No. 1 ranked team in the Mid-American Conference Bowling Green State University (22-3, 11-2 MAC) by a final score of 85-81 to earn head coach Lisa Carlsen her 300th career win.   Wednesday's...

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...

NIU graduate forward Emma Carter shoots a three-pointer near the end of the first half of the Huskies' Thursday game at the Convocation Center. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Huskies dominate Western Illinois with historic scoring feat

By Jermel Williams, Sports Reporter | November 18, 2022

DeKALB – The NIU women’s basketball team had a historic performance Thursday on its way to a 100-61 win against Western Illinois University. The Huskies (3-1) defeated Western Illinois (0-4), hitting a team-record 21 three-pointers, along with...