DeKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University women's basketball team opens a two-game homestand Saturday afternoon when it takes on the Toledo Rockets at 1 p.m. at the NIU Convocation Center in the first game of a doubleheader with the NIU men's basketball team.
The game will be televised on ESPN3 and will be broadcast locally on WLBK 98.9 FM and 1360 AM.
Huskie fans are encouraged to wear black as part of the Black-Out on Saturday. It is also Pup Club Day with a pizza party being held after the pregame tunnel for the women's game. Fans will get their first look at the new Victor E. Pub, located on the west end of the NIU Convocation Center concourse. All fans are invited to come by before or during the game, hang out in the comfortable seats or at the high-top tables, and watch the action while enjoying $2 drink specials, a full-service bar featuring mixed drinks and a unique drink offering for each game.
Tickets for all remaining home games, including flex passes, are available now online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).
NIU (4-9, 0-2 MAC) led throughout Wednesday night's game at Miami, but the RedHawks erased a five-point Huskies lead in the final 1:31 to win 66-64. The Huskies shot a season-high 45.1 percent from the field but committed 25 turnovers which led to 37 Miami points, including the game-winning basket off a steal with 1.8 seconds left.
Redshirt-Senior
Courtney Woods (Brisbane, Australia/St. Margaret's) led all scorers with 23 points, adding eight rebounds and a game-high four steals. Woods had scored 23 points in her previous three games combined. It was her sixth 20-point effort of the season.
Chelby Koker (Racine, Wis./Shoreland Lutheran) was a perfect 3-for-3 from the three-point arc and scored 10 points for the second straight game.
Myia Starks (Plainfield, Ill./Nequa Valley) also had 10 points at Miami with six rebounds and a pair of steals. Starks is tied for seventh in the Mid-American Conference in steals with 2.1 per game.
Toledo (6-7, 1-1 MAC) is coming off a 71-59 win over Buffalo at Savage Arena Wednesday night. The Rockets led 24-7 after the first quarter in which it held the Bulls to 1-for-14 from the field. Tanaya Beacham led Toledo with 17 points off the bench with Quinesha Lockett added 13 points and seven rebounds. The Rockets are fourth in the MAC in field goal percentage at 40.9 percent while averaging 66.3 points per game. Nakiah Black leads Toledo in scoring with 11.5 points per game.
The Huskies are home again on Wednesday, January 15 to take on the Kent State Golden Flashes. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.
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