DeKALB - Led by Ally Lehman's (Nineveh, Ind./Indian Creek) 31 points, nine rebounds and a career-best 11 assists, NIU (16-5, 9-2 MAC) put four scorers in double figures and scored 94 points against Central Michigan (17-6, 9-2 MAC) on 34-of-78 (.436) shooting. However, the Chippewas shot almost 55 percent in the second half and thwarted the Huskies comeback attempts to seal the victory, 109-94.

Four Huskies reached double figures, led by Lehman and Cassidy Glen (New Lenox, Ill./Providence Catholic/Presbyterian), who notched 21 points. Lehman was 11-for-21 from the field and 9-for-10 at the free-throw line on the night. Courtney Woods (Brisbane, Australia/St. Margaret's Anglican School) and Mikayla Voigt (Slinger, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) also added 16 and 13 points, respectively.

Three different Chippewas scored 20 points as Presley Hudson and Reyna Frost both scored 24 points while Aleah Swary added 21 off the bench.

"That was a ball game with two really good basketball teams on the floor. Central had their way a majority of the game but I was proud of the way we fought in the second half," said Head Coach Lisa Carlsen. "We're going to have to find a way to rebound the basketball better and not give a team like a Central Michigan that many second chance opportunities. They're too good when you give them that many opportunities."

Tied 23-23 with 31 seconds left in the first quarter, CMU attempted one last with six seconds left. Caroming off the rim and back into its possession, a Swary jumper at the buzzer closed the period in the Chippewas favor, 25-23.

The shot set the tone for Central Michigan's in the second frame as it outscored the Huskies 31-17 and led by as much as 23. However, NIU's 10-3 to end the half on treys from Woods and Voigt and a pair baskets from Lehman shifted some momentum back in the Huskies corner. 

Glenn closed the first 20 minutes with 13 points, all of which were scored in the first stanza, while Lehman entered double figures in the half with 10 while also adding six helpers.

Northern Illinois cut the lead to 10 with 3:39 left in the third on a 9-2 run as the Huskies attacked the basket and drew fouls. Lehman hit four free throws while Voigt added two and a three-pointer on the series.

Entering the final quarter with a 14-point deficit, 84-70, the Huskies dug another 20-point hole with eight minutes left but closed the gap to nine, 99-90, with 2:15 remaining. However, NIU was unable to hit its necessary shots or collect its own rebounds and was forced to foul. CMU closed the matchup 13-of-16 at the free throw line and built its lead to 15 with its charity stripe precision, 109-94.

With two triple-doubles this season already, Lehman has fallen two rebounds or two assists shy of triple-double five times this season, including twice in the last three games. Her performance was her 14th double-double of the season.

Northern Illinois University will return to action Saturday, Feb. 11 when it takes on Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y., NIU's first trip to Alumni Arena since 2014. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. Central. The game will air live on ESPN3.