DEKALB, Ill. – A career-high 22 points by junior Mikayla Voigt helped propel the Northern Illinois University Women's Basketball team to a 76-52 win over Bradley at the Convocation Center Wednesday night.
 
"Obviously I was happy with the way we came out of the lockerroom," said NIU head coach Lisa Carlsen. "I thought we looked really solid on the defensive end and that allowed us to get out to a comfortable lead early. We were able to maintain that and that's been important for us in a couple different ballgames this year.
 
"These guys are finding what they need to do to get ready to play and that will be important every night."
 
Two other Huskies (5-2) finished in double figures, including Courtney Woods, who tallied 14 points and Kelly Smith who added 12. Like Voigt, Myia Starks finished with a career-high in points scored as the Huskie sophomore finished with eight points and a game-high five assists.
 
The Huskies had complete control of the game from the tip, racing out to a 16-0 lead in the first six minutes of the contest. NIU did most of its damage in the first quarter in the paint, scoring 14 of its 18 first- quarter points in the paint.
 
Bradley (3-3) battled back in the second quarter, scoring 14 points but NIU matched the Braves and then some. The Huskies scored 17 points in the quarter and pushed their lead to 13 at halftime on a jumper by Ally May at the buzzer.
 
Leading 35-22 at the start of the third quarter, the Huskies opened the frame with a 6-2 run to extend their lead to 17, and they did it at the free throw line. Smith made a pair to start the scoring, while Starks made the next four from the line. Both Huskies finished 4-for-4 from the free throw line. As a team, NIU finished 20-for-26 from the free throw line in the game.
 
The Huskie defense held Bradley to 32.2 percent shooting from the field and their starting five to 18 points total in the game. NIU outrebounded the Braves 46-40, including 31 defensive boards. Woods and May led the way for the Huskies with nine rebounds each. Woods also finished with a game-high three steals.
 
NIU is back in action Wed., Dec. 6 when the Huskie play host to in-state foe Loyola. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. and NIU will welcome hundreds of local elementary schools for Education Day at the Convocation Center.
 
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