NORMAL - The Northern Illinois women's basketball team couldn't carry a strong first half over into the second, falling to Illinois State, 85-57, Friday at Redbird Arena.
Playing in their second game in three days, the Huskies (3-5) built an eight-point lead 10 minutes into the first half. NIU achieved the lead with a 10-2 run out of a 13-13 tie. Senior Kylie York hit a shot from deep to score three of her nine total points, and Marke Freeman connected on a three-point play during the run.
The Redbirds (3-2) battled back with 9-0 spurt to take a one-point lead. The teams counterpunched over the next several minutes until Illinois State finished the half with a 7-1 run to take a 41-35 lead into halftime.
The defending Missouri Valley Conference champions carried the momentum into the second period. Illinois State leapt out of the locker room with a 9-2 run to carry the lead to double-digits, and used the energy from a nine day layoff coming into the game to stave off the Huskies.
Freeman led Northern Illinois with 12 points, and was one of four Huskies to score in double-figures. She hit 4-of-12 shots from the field and grabbed four rebounds. The frontcourt duo of Mauvolyene Adams and Ebony Ellis each scored 11 points. Adams poured in 10 points over the first nine minutes of the game, and added eight rebounds with two assists.
Sophomore guard Tenisha Wilson also hit double figures, tying her career-high with 10 points. York hit a trio of three-pointers and is now two threes shy of tying Denise Dove's record of 221 career three-pointers made in the Cardinal and Black.
Preseason All-MVC selection Maggie Krick led all scorers with 24 points, including two second-half treys, and pulled down eight rebounds. Senior Ashleen Bracey hit double-figures with 18 points and led all rebounders with nine. Hannah Spice rounded out ISU's major scorers with 10 to go with three boards, three assists, two blocks and two steals off the bench.
