Box Score The Chicago State women's basketball team rallied from a 20-point deficit to pull within six with just over two minutes remaining but NIU held on for a 77-68 victory over the Cougars Wednesday night at the JCC.
Three Cougars scored in double figures led by
Josie Hill with 16, followed by
Asha Walker with 15 and
Aiyanna Culver with 11
The Cougars built a 17-7 first quarter lead with a 10-2 run but NIU closed the quarter with a 9-0 to cut the lead to one, 17-16. Chicago State opened the scoring in the second quarter before the Huskies reeled off 15 consecutive points to turn a three-point deficit into a 12-point lead, 31-19, and increased the margin to 17 at the end of the half, 43-26.
The game remained around that margin for a majority of the third quarter when a 5-0 NIU run gave the Huskies their largest lead of the game and CSU scored the final bucket of the third quarter to enter the final stanza down 18, 63-45.
Chicago State opened the fourth quarter with an 11-2 run and the NIU lead was down to single digits, 65-56, with 7:39 remaining in regulation. The Cougars pulled to within six on two occasions, the latest being 72-66 with 2:26 left to play, but NIU converted a three on their next possession and, following a Cougars turnover, converted a layup to turn back the CSU rally.
About Chicago State Athletics
Chicago State University sponsors 16 Division I intercollegiate athletic teams and competes in the Northeast Conference with the exception of men's and women's tennis who will compete in the Horizon League during the 2024-25 season. CSU's athletic program includes over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, triathlon and volleyball.
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