Jan. 12, 2010

Box Score | Box Score in PDF Format

DeKALB - The Northern Illinois women's basketball team put forth one of their best defensive efforts of the year, and combined it with a stellar offensive night to defeat Western Michigan, 73-47, Tuesday night at the Convocation Center.

The Huskies improved to 7-8 overall and captured their first Mid-American Conference win in three tries. The Broncos dropped to 5-11, and 0-3 in the MAC.

Junior guard Marke Freeman (Springfield, Ill./Lanphier) continued her hot scoring streak, pouring in 19 in the first half. She tallied 24 for the game to lead all scorers, and added six assists, three rebounds and two steals. Freeman was joined in double-figures by Kylie York (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) and Mauvolyene Adams (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook), who each scored 14.

That trio of double-digit scorers got NIU off to a quick start. York and Freeman connected on back-to-back three-pointers, and Adams sunk a lay-up to give NIU an 8-0 lead. Western Michigan fought back with a 10-2 run to tie the game. The Huskies countered with a 10-1 run to go up 20-11 nine minutes into the game. WMU wouldn't get any closer than that, and NIU headed into halftime with a 40-23 lead.

The 47 points allowed by NIU was their best defensive performance of the season. On the night, the Broncos shot just 33.3 percent (19-of-57) from the field, and hit only 2-of-14 three-pointers (14.3 percent).

The Huskie offense also clicked for 40 minutes. NIU shot 45 percent from the field (27-of-60) and on three-pointers (9-of-20), and totaled 16 assists on 26 made shots. In addition to Freeman's six dimes, Courtney Shelton (Rockford, Ill./Hononegah) dished out five assists to go with seven points and seven rebounds.

On the glass, NIU outrebounded Western Michigan 42-34, thanks in large part to 11 boards from Sarah Rogers (Chicago, Ill./Marshall). The total tied her career-high, which she set earlier this season against Milwaukee. Rogers also scored six points, helping a balanced offensive attack that proved too potent for the Broncos.

WMU was led in scoring by Ebony Cleary with 14, and Miame Giden with 11.

Up next, the Huskies travel to Ypsilanti, Mich. for a match-up with MAC West co-leader Eastern Michigan, Saturday at 1 p.m. (CST). The game can be heard live on the Northern Illinois ISP Sports Network through Huskie All-Access at www.NIUHuskies.com.