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Ebony Ellis posted her first double-double of the season and the third of her career against IUPUI Friday night.

Women's Basketball

NIU Women's Basketball Falls to IUPUI in Season Opener

Nov. 14, 2008

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DEKALB, Ill.-The Northern Illinois University women's basketball team dropped its season opener, 72-58, to IUPUI Friday night at the Convocation Center.

IUPUI (1-0) forward Jernisha Cann led all scorers with 23 points and was one of three Jaguars in double figures. Janna Eichelberger finished with 15 and Nicole James added 10.

Huskie (0-1) center Ebony Ellis (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Township) turned in her third double-double of her career, leading NIU is scoring with 15 points and in rebounding with 14 boards. Marke Freeman also finished in double digits, scoring 16 points. Becky Smith (Janesville, Wis./Parker) had a solid night, adding nine.

"I was pleased with how Ebony played, especially versus their post player," NIU head coach Carol Owens said. "She had a double-double and she can do that every night."

Turnovers plagued the Huskies all night. NIU turned the ball over 26 times and IUPUI capitalized scoring 33 points off Huskie miscues. The Jaguars also had a strong inside game, outscoring the Huskies 38-32 in the paint and the IUPUI bench was productive, accounting for 31 points, while NIU's reserves added 20 points to the effort.

"Obviously, taking care of the ball will be an emphasis," Owens said. "We didn't reach our goal in turnovers. I know we'll get better, I'm more concerned with the loose balls and getting to those and coming out and attacking from the start."

Trailing 55-44 with 8:21 left to play, went on a 12-2 run to get to within a point with 4:05 left play. However, that would be as close as the Huskies would get. IUPUI closed out the game with a 15-2 run to seal the victory.

Northern Illinois jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, but the Jaguars responded with a 12-1 run to take a 12-7 lead with 14:38 left to play in the first half. IUPUI built up its lead to 20-13, but NIU went on a 7-0 run to tie the contest at 20-20 with 7:37. The Huskies went into the break down 38-29.

The Huskies will be back in action Tuesday, Nov. 18 when the Huskies begin a four-game road trip at Western Illinois. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

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