Feb. 12, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

DEKALB, Ill.-The Northern Illinois University women's basketball team opens a two-game homestand Wednesday night when it plays host to the Golden Flashes of Kent State 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

"It's good to be home," NIU head coach Carol Owens said. "Obviously the road has been tough for us, but I think this has been a huge learning curve understanding there are a lot of different things that happen on the road and at home. I'm sure our players are looking forward to being at home."

The Huskies (8-14, 4-5), who have been on the road the last two weeks, are looking for their fourth-straight victory at home and to snap a two-game losing streak. NIU fell to Bowling Green, 85-65, at Bowling Green Saturday.

Kent State (6-15, 3-6) enters play Wednesday night looking to bounce back from a disappointing 87-70 loss to Central Michigan at home. The Golden Flashes have lost four of their last five games, also losing to Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Buffalo. Their lone victory came against Toledo at home.

Kent State owns a 14-8 mark in the all-time series between the two schools and has won three of the last four games. The two teams split their meetings last season. The Golden Flashes won the regular season match up, 78-71 at Kent State (Feb. 7, 2007). The Huskies defeated the Golden Flashes in the quarterfinals of the 2007 MAC Women's Basketball Tournament, 72-68, (Mar. 6, 2007) to advance to the semifinals.

The Huskies have four players that have stepped up their game during the conference season. Whitney Lowe (Bushnell, Ill./Prairie City), Jessie Wilcox (Oshkosh, Wis./West), Kylie York (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) and Shari' Welton (Calumet, Ill./Thornwood) are all averaging in double figures in Mid-American Conference play. Lowe leads the way, averaging 15.6 points a game, while Wilcox and Welton each add 10.2 points a game. York rounds out the quartet averaging 10.1 points a game.

The Huskies wrap up their homestand Saturday when NIU faces Ohio in the Convocation Center. The Northern Illinois University women's basketball team is encouraging all of its fans to "Think Pink" that day. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer survivors. Tip off for the game is at 2 p.m. (CT) and all women coming to the game will receive $2 admission. As part of a nationwide effort by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, NIU is dedicating the day to all those who have been affected by breast cancer.

For tickets to both games, contact the NIU ticket office at 815-752-6800 or log on to www.niuhuskies.com. Fans can follow all the action with Bill Baker on 1360 AM WLBK.