Nov. 20, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes

DeKALB, Ill. - In the biggest non-conference victory of the Carol Owens era, Northern Illinois handed Illinois its first loss of the season, 69-63, Tuesday night at the Convocation Center. Stephanie Raymond led the way with 24 points while Kristin Wiener added 14 points, nine rebounds and blocked a career-high seven shots.

"This is a great win for the program after coming of a loss from IUPUI, our kids bounced back and just got determined," said Owens. "We have a good senior class, they're great leaders."

The two teams seesawed back-and-forth throughout the first half with the Huskies holding a 35-32 edge at halftime.

Illinois took a 48-46 lead at the 10:28 mark of the second half before NIU tied the score and retook the lead.

With the score knotted for at 60 with two minutes remaining, Jessie Wilcox drained a three-pointer to break the deadlock. Raymond then sunk a pair of free throws with 28 seconds remaining to extend the lead to 65-60.

The Fighting Illini got within three at 65-62 with 13 seconds left, but could not draw closer. Raymond went on to score the Huskies' final four points from the free throw line to seal the win.

NIU's victory avenged a 57-43 loss last season in Champaign and was its third win in the past four meetings. The Huskies lead the all-time series 14-12.

Four Huskies scored in double figures, including Whitney Lowe with 11 and Wilcox with 10.

NIU improves to 2-1 on the season and will next travel to DePaul on Nov. 25. Illinois drops to 3-1 on the year.

-NIU-