MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Northern Illinois University women's basketball team dropped a 91-77 decision to Central Michigan at McGuirk Arena on Wednesday night.
 
NIU (13-13, 5-10 MAC) battled, but was unable to find an answer for the Central Michigan (22-4, 14-1 MAC) tandem of Tinara Moore and Reyna Frost. Moore finished with a game-high 36 points and 12 rebounds, while Frost followed with 20 points. Presley Hudson also finished with a double-double scoring 17 points and dishing out 13 assists.
 
The Chippewas used their size advantage over NIU, controlling the glass all night. Central Michigan outrebounded the Huskies, 41-32, including 15 offensive boards
 
Foul trouble also hampered NIU much of the game with three Huskies playing with four fouls late in the game. Central Michigan capitalized, shooting 100 percent from the free throw line making 17-of-17 from the charity stripe.
 
Three Huskies finished in double digits with junior Courtney Woods (Brisbane, Australia/St. Margaret's Anglican School) scoring a team-high 30 points. She also finished with six rebounds and six assists. Senior Kelly Smith (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) was right behind her with 25 points, while Mikayla Voigt (Slinger, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) added 13 points and eight assists.
 
After the two teams played to an 18-18 tie after the first quarter, Central Michigan took control of the game when it opened the second quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 27-20 lead a little over two minutes into the period. The Huskies closed the gap to four points on a Woods three-pointer with 5:55 left in the half.
 
However, Hudson proved difficult to contain. She hit her third three of the period on CMU's ensuing possession and finished the half shooting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. She was one of three Chippewas to finish in double figures in the first half.
 
The Chippewas outshot NIU, 47.2-46.0 for the game, including 55.6-43.8 percent in the fourth quarter.
 
The Huskies did take care of the ball Wednesday, committing a season-low seven turnovers on the night.
 
NIU will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 24, when the Huskies travel to Eastern Michigan. Game time against the Eagles is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT
 
-NIU-