DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's basketball team takes to the road for the first time in a month when it travels to Kent State for a 6 p.m. matchup against the Golden Flashes Wednesday night.
 
NIU (9-4, 1-0) won its fifth straight game on Jan. 5, opening Mid-American Conference play with an 82-71 win over Miami at the Convocation Center. It was the Huskies' seventh straight win on the home floor this season. Six Huskies scored in double-figures, led by sophomores Gabby Nikitinaite (Orpington, Kent, UK/Coopers School) and Riley Blackwell (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) who both scored 16 points. Blackwell's 16 doubled her previous career-high as she also pulled down eight rebounds.
 
The Huskies shot 49.1 percent from the field and made 25 of 29 free throws. NIU is second in the MAC in scoring offense at 83.3 points per game, averaging almost 94 points per game during its current winning streak. The Huskies lead the conference in free throw percentage at 77.3 percent, which is 15^th in the nation. NIU has made 51 of its last 58 free throws over the last two games, going 26-for-29 against Brown on Dec. 31 and 25-for-29 against Miami on Jan. 5. Nikitinaite leads the MAC, individually, in free throw percentage at 91.7 percent which is 10^th-highest in the country. She has made 31 of her last 33 foul shots.
 
Picked to finish fourth in the MAC East in the preseason, Kent State moved to 8-4 on the season with a 71-64 win over Eastern Michigan to open conference play. Trailing 49-48 heading into the fourth quarter, the Golden Flashes outscored the Eagles 23-15 to get the win. Kent State made 12 three-pointers and shot 54.5 percent from long distance. Asiah Dingle led all players with 29 points, adding nine rebounds, five steals, and three blocks. Megan Carter leads Kent State in scoring with 14.7 points per game. Kent State averages 66.4 points per game and allows 58.4 points per game. The Golden Flashes lead the all-time series against the Huskies 20-17.
 
NIU returns home to face Central Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the NIU men's basketball team. Tickets are available at NIUHuskies.com/tickets.
 
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