BOX SCORE
DEKALB, Ill.- Western Michigan (12-16, 9-5 MAC) got behind by 14 points in the second half and couldn't battle its way back, falling to Northern Illinois on the road, 67-65.
The Broncos built an 11-point advantage in the first half but NIU went on an 11-3 run at the end of the half to slice the deficit to one, 29-28, before the break. Western Michigan found success with its full-court pressure in the first half, scoring 11 points off as many forced turnovers. The Broncos also got to the charity stripe early and often, converting 10-of-18 from the free throw line.
The Huskies ( 10-14, 6-5 MAC) carried their momentum into the second half, as Kylie York buried a three-pointer to start the second half. Northern Illinois seemed to have no trouble finding the bottom of the net, while the Broncos struggled. Western Michigan hit just two field goals in the first 10 minutes as the Huskies built a 14-point advantage, 52-38, with 9:54 remaining.
Western Michigan made its best attempt at comeback, largely fueled by Sara Vest, who scored 15 of her career-high 17 points in the final twenty minutes.
WMU managed to tie the game, 62-62, when Brenna Banktson stole an inbounds pass and was fouled with 1:14 remaining. A second-chance bucket by Mauvolyene Adams gave NIU the lead back, but Amanda Parker drilled a three-pointer with 29 seconds to go, pushing the Broncos ahead by one, 65-64, for their first lead since the start of the half. WMU couldn't come up with a stop on the other end and Jessie Wilcox knocked down a jumper from inside the key to put NIU back up by one.
A traveling violation gave the Huskies the ball back and the Broncos were forced to foul. Whitney Lowe hit the first of a one-and-one and Adams grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. She missed the first of a one-and-one and Molly Dwyer came up with the rebound and raced down the court, but would not get off a final shot, as the Broncos fell, 67-65.
Northern Illinois outrebounded Western Michigan, 48-31, and the Brown & Gold finished shooting 21-for-34 from the free throw line.
Tiera DeLaHoussaye had 15 points on the night, 13 coming in the first half. Parker ended with 11.
Lowe led the Huskies with 22 points. York and Adams each had 11.
It was the first game for the Huskie women since athletic competitions were suspended for 10 days following the campus tragedy on Feb. 14. Northern Illinois improved to 8-2 at home this year, and has lost just one MAC contest on its home floor.
Western Michigan is back in action Saturday, facing Ball State on the road at 2 p.m. Western Michigan, Ball State and Eastern Michigan are all tied at the top of the MAC West standings heading into the weekend.
