A last-second shot put the NIU women’s basketball team in the win column for the second time this season Thursday night.

Guard Shari’ Welton hit the game-winning lay-up with 3.1 seconds remaining in the game to give the Huskies (2-1) a 60-59 win over Western Illinois.

Down one point, following a missed WIU 3-pointer and an NIU timeout, guard Jessie Wilcox drove to the basket and then kicked the ball out to Kylie York.

York missed the three, but Welton was there to collect her 12th rebound of the game and nailed the put-back that sent the Convocation Center crowd of 601 into a frenzy.

The Westerwinds immediately called a timeout but were unable to get off a shot before the final buzzer.

“I just got the rebound and stuck with it,” Welton said. “That’s what the coaches have drilled into our minds this entire year. You don’t stop going until the buzzer sounds or you hear that whistle and that’s just our mindset.”

Welton picked up a double-double Thursday night with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The junior also swiped three steals.

Wilcox led the way for the Huskies, scoring 23 points and grabbing five rebounds. The junior shot 7-12 from the field and seven of eight from the free-throw line.

“That was something we talked about after Chicago State, how we didn’t get to the line,” said head coach Carol Owens. “Shari’ and Jessie did a great job with driving and getting them in foul trouble and getting us in the bonus really early.”

The Huskies struggled out of the gate offensively in the first half. With four minutes remaining, NIU was shooting 3-22 from the field, but after key substitutions, NIU went on a 16-5 run to head into the half leading 35-30. That was due largely in part to increased pressure on both offense and defense.

“Once we got down and played defense, we switched it up on them,” Wilcox said. “Defense leads to transition points and that sparks our offense.”

NIU didn’t dominate on boards as they had in the first couple of games, but they drastically cut down on turnovers.

“We cut down on our turnovers and that’s an accomplishment and I think we can get better as we go on with the season,” Owens said. “I’m very pleased with this win and real excited for this team.”

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