Redshirt senior guard Courtney Woods stretches for a layup Tuesday, passing by Crimson defender Mackenzie Barta in the women’s basketball season opener.

Junior Forward Riley Blackwell goes up for a jump ball March 6 during NIU's 67-64 defeat to Ball State University at the Convocation Center.

Senior guard Mikayla Voigt drives to the net Nov. 28 during a home match against South Dakota State University at the Convocation Center.

Junior guard Ally Lehman lofts the ball toward the basket during Saturday's game versus Western Michigan University.

Junior forward Cassidy Glenn makes a layup off the breakaway. Glenn scored 17 points but missed two crucial freethrows during overtime. The Huskies fell in an overtime loss against Toledo 89-83 on Saturday.

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."

Alumnae of the NIU women's basketball team will suit up for the annual Alumni Game at 11 a.m. Saturday on Victory E. Court. A ticket to the NIU women's basketball game against Ohio at 2:05 p.m. that same day will get fans a seat for the alumnae contest.

The men's basketball Alumni Game is set for Feb. 4, and also will take place at 11 a.m. A ticket to watch the current Huskies take the court for a MAC showdown with Western Michigan at 2:05 p.m. gets fans into the Alumni Game.

Mega Women

Three top 10 finishes propelled the NIU women's track and field team to a second place finish at the Eastern Illinois Mega Meet Jan. 21.

In field competition, Lindsay Chamberlain took home the 20-pound weight throw title with a heave of 17.79 meters. Ashley Morrow finished third in the weight throw, and second in the shot put; a slot ahead of teammate Margaret Gorski. Elizabeth Berquist placed second in the high jump.

NIU also had a strong showing in the track department, with a second-place finish from sprinter Ajahnae Hinley, a second-place finish in the 800 meter run from Lorene Skipper and a bronze from Bonnie Miller in the 5,000 meter run. The 4 x 400 team posted a second-place finish to add to the NIU medal count.

NIU heads to Champaign tomorrow for the Care/Health Alliance Classic hosted by the University of Illinois at 10 a.m.

Seven-love

The NIU women's tennis team started its season with a 7-0 loss at Wisconsin Saturday.

Wisconsin won the doubles match point and then rolled to a 5-0 sweep with a forfeit in the singles matches.

NIU coach Pontus Hiort said after the match Wisconsin is one of the top teams in the nation.

Wanted: Softball Manager

The NIU softball team is looking for a new manager for its upcoming season.

Qualified candidates must have a working knowledge of softball, be proficient with statistical maintenance and assist with equipment transportation for practices and games.

If interested please contact assistant coach Joanna Lane at 753-2245 as soon as possible.

That New Season Smell

The NIU baseball team will kick off the 2006 season Feb. 3. The Huskies will travel to Tempe for a three-game series with the Arizona State Sun Devils.

The opener will be played under the lights at 7 p.m., while the final game will be at 1 p.m. Sunday.