After dropping three straight games, the NIU women’s basketball team looks to get back in the win column tonight when it faces Green Bay.

NIU (2-4) has been struggling to put the ball in the basket this season, while Green Bay (2-1) has had much success on the offensive end.

“They are a high-powered scoring team,” NIU coach Carol Owens said. “They are shooting 47 percent from the field, 50 percent from beyond the three-point line. So it will be a good test.”

The Phoenix are led by upperclassmen who control all five starting spots. Senior Kayla Groh and junior Rachel Porath have been big weapons for Green Bay.

Both players are averaging 15 points per game while Porath has also been good for just over six rebounds per game.

According to Owens, rebounding will be one of the keys in the game, particularly on the offensive end.


“Rebounding is certainly important,” Owens said. “At most, if teams are really good, they’ll shoot 50 percent. So, half of those shots are coming off. We’re hitting the offensive glass, now we’ve got to do a better job of finishing and making those rebounds count.”


Wilcox out

One thing the Huskies will need to do is find someone to fill junior guard Jessie Wilcox’s shoes.

Wilcox suffered a hand injury on the team’s trip to Cancun during Thanksgiving break and is likely to miss a few weeks recovering.

Other than missing Wilcox’s offense, the Huskies also miss her ball handling as they have struggled with turnovers this season.

“We obviously have to score,“ Owens said. “We have to get into the paint, get to the free throw line and be able to knock down some shots. With Jessie Wilcox being out, Tara Michels and Kylie York are going to have to share the point position.”

One player who has stepped up her game has been Shari’ Welton.

Sunday against UIC, the Wisconsin transfer went for 14 points while pulling down nine rebounds.

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