Final Stats

Game Highlights

DeKALB - The NIU women's basketball (12-17) ended its season Monday night as it fell to Central Michigan (13-17) in the First Round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, 49-44. Down by three points, the Huskies had two shots to force overtime in the final 18 seconds of the game but were unable to convert the shots.

Ally Lehman (Nineveh, Ind./Indian Creek) recorded her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds while Amanda Corral (Hobart, Ind./Hobart) and Kelly Smith (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Lehman had a game-high five assists. As a team, NIU was perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line.

"It was a tough way to lose tonight. Central Michigan had a lot more fire and energy in them than we did tonight," said Head Coach Kathi Bennett. "I felt like we had some good looks but when we started missing outside shots, we started settling for them, instead of attacking the rim. We just couldn't find that energy that was characteristic of us all season long tonight."

The Huskies and Chippewas shot a combined 26.1 percent from the field in the first half as Central Michigan led NIU at halftime, 26-16. Northern Illinois University had an early 6-4 lead in the half until a 13-0 run by the Chips put CMU on top, 17-6. Three-pointers by Lacia Gorman (Fort Wayne, Ind./Wayne) and Lehman gave NIU life at the end of the half as it pulled within eight of CMU, 23-16.

A hook shot at the buzzer by Jas'Mine Bracey put Central Michigan back up by 10 at halftime, 26-16. Lehman finished with five points in the half while Renee Sladek scored four points. Da'Jourie Turner led the game with 10 points.

In the second half, NIU outscored Central Michigan, 28-23, twice coming within three points of the Chippewas, despite trailing by 12 points in the opening minute of the second half.

With 12:59 left in the regulation, Corral nailed two free throws to bring NIU within three points, 32-29. However, the Huskies couldn't get back over the hump as CMU responded each time NIU attempted to overcome its deficit in the final stanza.

With 1:38 left, a baseline jumper by Jenna Thorp (Hinckley, Ill./Hinckley-Big Rock) made it a three-point game, 47-44, and put the Huskies in a position to force overtime. Lehman had NIU's best look with 25 seconds left as she received a pass from the wing at the baseline corner behind the arc, but the ball pinged off the rim and into the hands of CMU.

Corral attempted one last shot with 13 seconds left but it was blocked by Aleah Swary to end the NIU threat.

Lehman and Corral let the Huskies with 11 points in the game while Lehman led in boards with 12. It was her third double-double of the season. Smith finished with 10 points in the contest. Bracey and Turner both had 14 points for Central Michigan in the game.

Tonight's win marked the third-straight season that the No. 9 seed upset the No. 8 seed in the first round of the tournament.

For more updates on the NIU women's basketball team, follow NIU women's basketball on Facebook and on Twitter @GoHuskiesWBB. For news on the program, visit NIUHuskies.com.