MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Northern Illinois women's basketball team reduced a 20-point halftime deficit to four, but couldn't finish the comeback against Milwaukee, falling 73-65 at the Klotsche Center on Wednesday night.
"This game is a learning experience for us," NIU coach Carol Owens said. "We're going to take some lessons from tonight and apply them to the rest of the season."
Marke Feeman led the Huskies (3-2) with 16 points. Freeman hit a lay-up, got fouled and connected on the free throw with 23 seconds left in the game to cut the deficit to 69-65. Panthers leading scorer Lindsay Laur (20 points) answered with two free throws seconds later. An NIU turnover on the next possession led to a pair of game-sealing free throws by Ashley Imperiale.
Northern Illinois scored 45 second-half points, the most this season. The Huskies connected on 17 of 41 shots (41.5 percent), four three-pointers and outscored the Panthers by 12 points in the period.
"We played a lot better in the second half," Owens said. "We need to realize we have to play like that for the entire game."
NIU scored 23 points off 21 Milwaukee miscues. NIU turned the ball over just five times in the second half, and 16 times in the game. The Huskies grabbed 21 offensive rebounds, the third time they've hit the 20-offensive rebound mark this season, and cashed in for 14 second-chance points.
The night started poorly for the Huskies, going 0-for-12 from the field. The Huskies trailed 20-1 when Freeman hit Northern Illinois' first shot of the night more than nine minutes in.
Behind Freeman, sophomore Tenisha Wilson scored 10 points, providing a much-needed spark off the bench. Junior Ebony Ellis led the Huskies with 10 rebounds, her third double-digit rebounding game of the year.
For Milwaukee, Laur added nine rebounds to her 20 points. She was followed by Jodie McClain with 11 points and nine assists, while Imperiale and Amanda Viehauser each contributed 10 points.
Northern Illinois returns home to face DePaul at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.
