Box Score | Box Score (PDF) | Coach Wright Postgame

DEKALB, Ill. -- The Miami University women's basketball team could not overcome a hot-shooting first half from Northern Illinois as it fell, 92-73, Wednesday afternoon. The RedHawks are now 9-13 overall and 3-8 in the Mid-American Conference. The Huskies improve to 10-12 overall and 3-8 in the MAC.

NIU shot 62.5 percent (25-for-40) from the field during the first half, including finishing 6-for-11 (54.5 percent) from behind the arc. They used that to build up a 57-29 lead going into halftime, creating a deficit too large to overcome despite a much stronger second half from Miami.

Freshman guard Kendall McCoy had the best performance of her young career on Wednesday. Making her first start of the year, she finished with a career-high 19 points, draining three 3-pointers. She also had five rebounds, two steals and an assist in 25 minutes of action.

Northern Illinois won the opening tip and after hitting a quick pass to the corner, drained a three-pointer four seconds into the contest. It started a 7-0 run that began to build the Huskies lead. McCoy kept the RedHawks in it early on, draining two 3-point buckets to cut the deficit to three at 9-6 with 7:54 remaining in the first quarter. NIU took advantage of some Miami turnovers to get transition layups and push the advantage to nine at 17-8. Despite three-pointers from freshman forward Kristen Levering and freshman point guard Leah Purvis, the Huskies took a 27-14 lead at the end of the first period.

NIU hit four more 3-point baskets in the second quarter as it continued its hot shooting. A 19-4 run to begin the quarter expanded the advantage to 26. After sophomore forward Molly McDonagh ended it with a pair of free throws, the Huskies pushed to their largest lead at 57-24 with 1:24 remaining. A three-pointer from McCoy and a jumper by Richter sent the `Hawks into the break trailing by 28 at 57-29.

After allowing 57 points in the first half, Miami's defense toughened up in the second half and allowed only 35. Despite the large deficit, the RedHawks did not give up, hitting several tough shots to try and cut into the lead. Trailing 89-60 in the fourth quarter, Miami went on a 10-0 run finished off by a layup from sophomore guard Kayla Brown to put the contest at its final margin of 19 points. The teams traded a couple of buckets down the stretch to allow NIU to finish off the 92-73 victory.

In addition to McCoy's 19 points, Brown had 16 and Purvis finished with 13. The RedHawks shot 32.9 percent (23-for-70) for the game, including 34.6 percent (9-for-26) from behind the arc. Northern Illinois held a 43-40 advantage in rebounds and was led by Cassidy Glenn with 22 points.

Miami returns home on Saturday when it welcomes Eastern Michigan to Millett Hall for a 2 p.m. matinee. It is the third annual Love Honor Care game to raise funds for the Luna Cares Foundation. At the contest there will be a silent auction, t-shirt sales and other ways for fans to support this cause.