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DEKALB, ILL. - The RedHawk women's basketball team scored a season-high 76 points but it was not enough to overcome Northern Illinois as the Huskies topped Miami, 89-76, on Saturday at Convocation Center. The loss dropped the Red & White's record to 7-13 (1-6 MAC) on the year while NIU improved to 13-5 (6-1 MAC).

Freshman Lauren Dickerson paced the RedHawk offensive charge for the 13th this season by scoring 26 points, her second-highest mark of the season. Sophomore Kendall McCoy posted the team's first double-double of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Northern Illinois took control early on by scoring the first 10 points of the contest before a Kristen Levering layup ended the run. The Huskies worked their lead to 18-4 with 4:11 to play in the opening quarter but Miami got things clicking with free throws from Kayla Brown and Leah Purvis, as well as a triple and a jumper from Dickerson. A three-pointer from Purvis and a lay-in from Kendall McCoy had the game back in a more manageable state through one quarter of play. After 10 minutes of action, NIU held a 22-18 advantage.

Miami narrowed its deficit early on in the second frame courtesy of two more makes from long range by Dickerson and a basket by Brown. With just under eight minutes to go in the half, the score stood at 27-26 in favor of the Huskies. NIU answered with back-to-back triples and two free throws but Miami came right back with baskets down low from Molly McDonagh and Brown. The Huskies continued the back-and-forth scoring by capturing the next six points before each team hit a three to close the half. NIU took a 44-35 lead into the locker room.

The second half opened with the RedHawks and Huskies trading blows. NIU was able to get to the line, sink free throws and slowly create some separation as time wore on. With the score holding steady much of the quarter, the Huskies closed the frame with a basket and six straight free throws to take a 67-47 edge into the final 10 minutes of action.

Despite tying their season-high with 29 points in the fourth quarter, the RedHawks could not overcome a hot NIU offense as the Huskies kept pace to keep MU at bay. The Red & White got to within 10 points on a couple of occasions but NIU would answer back each time.

The RedHawks are off until next Saturday when they host Ohio at 1 p.m. It is Alumnae Weekend for Miami women's basketball with special recognition set to be given to the 1981-82 and 1982-83 MAC championship teams.