Feb. 19, 2011

Box Score | Box Score

YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Northern Illinois women's basketball team held Eastern Michigan to 29.0 percent shooting from the field, but committed 28 costly turnovers in a 62-35 decision Saturday at the EMU Convocation Center.

The Huskies, who lost for the first time since Feb. 5, fell to 11-15 overall and 5-8 in Mid-American Conference play. Eastern Michigan improved to 18-9 and 9-4 in league games.

"Eastern Michigan did a great job," head coach Kathi Bennett said. "I really credit AnnMarie Gilbert and her staff."

Northern Illinois got a series of good looks early in the game, but missed their first eight shots while committing five turnovers before Ebony Ellis finally put the Huskies on the board. Ellis scored two or her four points on a lay-up 8:12 into the game. Thanks to solid defense, NIU trailed by only five after Ellis' basket.

"Early on, we played well enough defensively to still be in the game, but our turnovers just killed us," Bennett said. "It's tough to stay with a team when you are as careless with the ball as we were today."

As NIU's offense continued to struggle, Eastern Michigan pulled away. The Eagles went on a 13-2 run, to go up 22-6, and carried a 17-point lead into the locker room. EMU scored 15 of its 29 halftime points off of NIU turnovers.

The Huskies rough shooting night continued in the second half, as NIU did not score until Courtney Shelton hit a jumper six minutes in. By then Eastern Michigan had extended its lead to 27, and the Huskies never got closer.

Sophomore Kim Davis highlighted the NIU day with 11 points and 13 rebounds, both team highs. Davis played for Eastern Michigan as a walk-on in 2008-09. Cassie Schrock led Eastern Michigan with 19 points, while Sydney Huntley added 12 and Tavelyn James scored 11.

Northern Illinois returns to action Tuesday at 6 p.m. in a road game against Western Michigan.