DeKALB – Northern Illinois women’s basketball coach Kathi Bennett didn’t think her team could have played any harder in the second half of Thursday’s 54-45 loss to Eastern Michigan.

The Huskies (7-20, 2-12 Mid-American Conference) had a sluggish first half, shooting just 24 percent, but stayed within striking distance of the Eagles (8-19, 6-8 MAC), tying Eastern Michigan, 30-30, on an Amanda Corral 3-pointer as the shot clock expired with 11:52 left in the game.

However, NIU just couldn’t take control. The Huskies tied the Eagles once again, this time at 38, on an Alexis Lindstrom jump shot with 5:57 left, but Eastern Michigan ended the game on a 16-7 run.