KALAMAZOO, Mich. ­– In a game that saw 13 ties and six lead changes, the Northern Illinois University women's basketball team (10-5, 2-2) suffered an 88-83 setback to Western Michigan (10-6, 3-1) at University Arena Wednesday night.
 
"I can't fault our effort," said NIU head coach Lisa Carlsen. "I thought we came out ready to play. We had a pretty good first half, really first three quarters. We missed some shots in the fourth quarter and they were able to exploit some things on the offensive end against our defense. They did a good job of sticking the ball in the basket."
 
The Huskies opened up a 65-58 lead with 1:20 left in the third quarter on an 8-0 run. However, the Broncos responded in the fourth quarter. With NIU leading, 70-64 with 9:07 left in the game, Western Michigan went on a 9-2 run to take a 73-72 lead with 5:37 left in the contest.
 
After the Huskies took a 74-73 lead with 5:14 left to play, on a pair Gabby Nikitiniate (Orpington, Kent, UK/Coopers School) free throws, Western Michigan went on an 8-2 run to open up an 81-76 advantage with 2:43 left in the game. NIU pulled to within one on a free throw by Mikayla Voigt (Slinger, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) and a three pointer by Courtney Woods (Brisbane, Australia/St. Margaret's Anglican School).
 
However, that would be as close as NIU would get. A steal and score by Jordan Walker pushed the Bronco lead to 85-80 with 30.6 seconds left and Western Michigan did look back.
 
Western Michigan outshot NIU 62.5-28.6 percent in the fourth quarter and 54.0-50.0 percent for the game. Four Broncos finished in double figures led by Deja Wimbly scoring 26 points.
 
Three Huskies finished in double digits in scoring with Woods posting a game-high 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field. Kelly Smith (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) was right behind her with 21 points and Nikitiniate finished with a career-high 17. Both Smith and Woods finished with eight rebounds.
 
"I thought she did a really nice job offensively," Carlsen said of Woods. "We put the ball in her hands in a couple of situations and she was able to stick it in the basket, which is obviously something she's very good at."
 
NIU took a 43-41 lead into halftime after shooting 60.7 percent from the field in the first half. Smith led the way with 17 points, while Woods followed with 13. Smith also had six rebounds through the first 20 minutes of play.
 
The Huskies continue their two-game road swing when they travel to Toledo Saturday to take on the Rockets. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN3 or listen on WSQR 92.9 FM & 1180 AM.
 
-NIU-