DeKALB - Outscoring Western Michigan (14-7, 5-5 MAC) in the fourth quarter, 24-12, NIU (16-5, 9-1 MAC) improved its Mid-American Conference best record on Alumnae Day as the Huskies rallied back from their fourth double-digit deficit of the season and held the Broncos to a season-low in a 67-62 triumph.

The trio of Cassidy Glenn (New Lenox, Ill./Providence Catholic/Presbyterian), Ally Lehman (Nineveh, Ind./Indian Creek) and Courtney Woods (Brisbane, Australia/St. Margaret's Anglican School) combined for 55 of NIU's 67 points, paced by Woods 10th 20-point game of the season. Lehman registered her 13th double-double of the season, closing with 17 points, 14 rebounds and five assists on the afternoon. Glenn scored 10 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter.

After finishing the first period in a nine-point hole, Northern Illinois University trailed by 14 with 6:16 left in the opening half. However, after the media break, the Huskies outscored the Broncos 12-0 in the final four and a half minutes to close the gap to two points at halftime, 32-30. Both Woods and Glenn hit a trey to draw momentum back to the NIU bench after a WMU timeout with 3:19 left.

That same energy carried through the half as the Huskies recorded three more defensive stops to take their first lead of the game less 1:30 into the period on a free throw by Kelly Smith (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) and a layup by Lehman. Though the two teams traded four leads and three ties in the third, WMU led the Huskies, 50-43, entering the final stanza.

In honor of the team's defensive roots in the first five years of the decade, Northern Illinois matched Western Michigan's tempo of play,  forcing a shot clock violation in the opening minute of the frame and maintained ball security throughout the period.

The Huskies relinquished the ball only once and forced four Bronco turnovers, including three steals, and drew eight fouls to stymie Western Michigan.

In the final 3:15 of the quarter, NIU outscored WMU, 12-3, scoring seven of those points at the free throw line and the go-ahead shot with 2:01 remaining.

Tied 59-59, the Huskies inbounded the ball on their end of the floor and worked the ball around the arc. With Mikayla Voigt (Slinger, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) being pressured by two players in front of the Huskie bench, the sophomore chucked the ball across the court to Glenn, who jumped to grab it and in rhythm again, took the jumper from a foot behind the line to give NIU its final lead of the game. 

"I think that's just one we had to grind out and come out on top at the end," said Head Coach Lisa Carlsen reflecting on the contest. "There were big plays down the stretch on both ends, offensively and defensively, and we put ourselves in a position late to knock down some key free throws and come up with some key defensive boards. We made just enough plays to come out on top."

The Huskies own a one-game lead over Ball State in the MAC standings have won their most games since finishing 19-12 in 2006-07 under Carol Owens.

Owens, an NIU Athletics Hall of Famer and All-American in 1990, joined a group of almost 40 alumnae in attendance for the celebration of the 60th season on Saturday. 10 other NIU Athletics Hall of Famers were also in attendance. The gathering the program's largest since at least 2011-12.

The Huskies will return to action Wednesday when it hosts Central Michigan (16-6, 8-2 MAC) on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. Central. The contest will air live on ESPN3.

NIU women's basketball single game tickets start at just $4. Purchase tickets on NIUHuskies.com or by contacting the NIU Athletics Ticket Office Monday through Friday from 9-5 p.m. in person or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).