MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The NIU women's basketball team (18-8, 11-4 MAC) was not able to keep up with the torrid pace of the Central Michigan (21-4, 13-2 MAC) on Wednesday night despite its best effort as the Chippewas downed the Huskies, 109-86.

"Central Michigan is a very good team and they were comfortable in the way that they played tonight. We did a better job in the second half but if we want to be successful we need to make them uncomfortable sooner," said Head Coach Lisa Carlsen.

The Chippewas shot with incredible accuracy in the first half to score a school-record 72 points on 29-of-45 shooting from the field and an 11-of-19 clip from behind the arc.

The Huskies were on the same path with the Chips as they matched CMU's first three shots on the night, leading the way for both teams to open with a combined 16-for-21 field goal percentage (.762) at the first media time out with 4:59 left. Ally Lehman (Nineveh, Ind./Indian Creek) scored eight of her team-best 21 points in the opening period.

NIU outscored Central Michigan 26-16 in the third quarter and 26-21 in the final period to cut their deficit in half, shooting .445 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free throw line.

The Huskies improved its rebounding against CMU on the night as it finished an even 45-45 on the glass after posting a -28 margin in the first meeting two weeks ago.

Both Kelly Smith (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) and Courtney Woods (Brisbane, Australia/St. Margaret's Anglican) posted 17 points on the night with Smith shooting 7-for-11 from the field with a trey and nine rebounds to lead the Huskies on the glass.

Lehman assisted on six of Northern Illinois' 35 baskets. NIU attempted a season-high 90 field goals. The Chips closed the night 14-of-27 behind the arc, including an impressive 11-of-19 clip in the first half.

The Huskies will return to action Saturday when it heads to Eastern Michigan in a doubleheader with the NIU men's team. Tipoff in Ypsilanti, Mich., is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Central.