DEKALB, Ill. — The Chicago State women's basketball team (1-5) fell to NIU (2-4) by a score of 67-57, despite leading by 14 points after the first quarter. NIU capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 33 of 44 attempts to secure the victory.
Chicago State opened the game strong with
Natalia Williams scoring the first basket through a layup. Despite an early tie at 2-2, the Cougars quickly gained momentum.
Keona McGee and
Kyara Champagne contributed to the offensive surge, each adding crucial layups.
Marisa Gant, who has now scored at least 15 total points in two consecutive games, extended the lead further with two jumpers and a three-pointer, her last jumper coming with just 30 seconds left, bringing the score to 23-9. CSU's defense was effective, forcing four turnovers and blocking three shots, which limited NIU's scoring opportunities.
NIU capitalized on turnovers in the second quarter, scoring 10 points off Chicago State's six miscues. Chicago State's Gant, who achieved a season-high total of 4 assists, responded with a layup at 3:27 to extend their lead to 32-18. In the closing moments, NIU narrowed the gap with back-to-back three-pointers, trimming the deficit to 33-28.
Tania Allen added a free throw for the Cougars with 31 seconds remaining, and Champagne sealed the quarter with a free throw in the final second, bringing the halftime score to 35-30 in favor of Chicago State.
Chloe Sisco marked a season-high with her back-to-back three-pointers early in the third quarter, giving the Cougars a lead, but Northern Illinois responded with effective free-throw shooting. Gant added a layup for Chicago State, maintaining a slim margin. However, a jumper with 2 seconds left sealed a comeback for Northern Illinois, ending the quarter with a 49-47 advantage.
In a tightly contested fourth quarter, NIU capitalized on free throws to secure an 18-10 scoring advantage against visiting Chicago State. Gant missed a three-pointer early in the period, but Champagne, who scored a season-high total of 14 points, grabbed an offensive rebound and layup to tie the game at 49-49 with 9:30 remaining. NIU then pulled away as free throws contributed to a series of scoring plays that extended their lead. Despite a late three-pointer from Sisco and a fast-break layup by Allen, who achieved 6 defensive rebounds for the first time this season, NIU held firm, closing the game with a final score of 67-57.
Chicago State was led by
Marisa Gant who scored 15 points for the second straight game.
Kyara Champagne added 14 points, and
Chloe Sisco finished with 9 points with 3 three pointers made on the night.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will return to action on Friday Nov. 28 as they will take on New Mexico on at 10:00 a.m. (CT). The matchup will be held in Fort Myers, Florida as part of the Florida Gulf Classic Challenge
