Box Score DeKALB, Ill. – SIUE's Tierny Austin scored a team-leading 13 points and is now six points from becoming the 21st player in school history to score 1,000 points for women's basketball.
She'll get her first opportunity Saturday in a 2 p.m. game against Valparaiso at the Vadalabene Center.
On Wednesday, however, Austin's double-digit effort was not enough as Northern Illinois defeated SIUE 69-47 at the Convocation Center.
Amanda Corral led all scorers with 26 points. The Huskies improved to 3-5 while the Cougars dropped to 3-6.
SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher said turnovers and missed opportunities held the Cougars back. SIUE finished with 20 turnovers, and Northern Illinois used it for 22 points off turnovers.
"We're not giving ourselves the kinds of possession we need," said Buscher.
Northern Illinois raced out to a 36-17 lead by halftime and didn't budge in second half. The Huskies shot 28 of 53 (52.8 percent) for the game while SIUE shot 15 of 49 (30.6 percent).
"I have to do a better job of instilling in the team the intensity they need to start," said Buscher.
Micah Jones was the only other Cougar scoring in double figures with 10 points.
Ally Lehman provided 15 points for the Huskies.
Wednesday's game was the final contest of a five-game road swing for the Cougars. Saturday's game against Valparaiso will be SIUE's first game at the Vadalabene Center in just less than a month.
"It's always nice to be at home," said Buscher. "But it doesn't matter where you play. You have to get after it every night to be successful."
