A poor shooting performance doomed the Miami University women's basketball team (17-7, 7-4 Mid-American Conference (MAC)) as they fell to the Northern Illinois University Huskies on Saturday, 70-58.

The RedHawks struggled all game to find an offensive rhythm, shooting just 31 percent from the floor in the contest, while Northern Illinois, who has now won five of its last six games, became only the second team to beat the 'Hawks at Millett Hall this season.

"Our shots just didn't fall," junior guard Courtney Osborn said. "We left ourselves an opportunity but their intensity in the second half surpassed ours."

Osborn scored 21 points, 18 of which came in the second half, to lead the 'Hawks and had to work hard for every one of them. The guard out of Fishers, Ind. played all 40 minutes and, along with senior guard Maggie Boyer, nearly sparked a second-half comeback. Boyer added 14 of her 17 points in the second half, but the Huskies' stingy defense was enough to clip the RedHawks' wings.

"Northern Illinois' defense was great," Head Coach Maria Fantanarosa said. "They came out with a sense of urgency and continued to play that way for all 40 minutes, and once we got behind we did not have enough offense or defense to get back into it."

Northern Illinois came into the game allowing only 58.8 points per game and was able to hold Miami to its third-lowest point total this season. While the 'Hawks struggled on the offensive end, the Huskies simply could not miss and shot 54 percent from the field.

Neither team started the game off sharp though as Miami was up just 13-12 after 10 minutes of play. However, the 'Hawks were only able to muster three more points in the half, as NIU went on a 13-3 run to close the period and headed into the locker room with a 25-16 advantage.

The Huskies built their lead to 22 in the second half and with their backs against the wall, Miami went into full-court pressure and scored nine-straight points. The RedHawks would get as close as 11 points at 60-49 on the heels of a Boyer three-pointer with 2:22 remaining, but Northern Illinois clamped down and kept the 'Hawks at bay.

For a Miami team that had been averaging 70 points a game and was looking to build momentum heading into the last five games of the season, the game marked the end of a tough stretch against MAC West division opponents.

"We had a lot of respect for the West going in and we knew it was going to be a challenge," Fantanarosa said. "The important thing now is that we get back to fundamentals and back to unselfish play."

There is no rest for the weary though as the RedHawks head back on the road for two games that will have them traveling a combined 22 hours over the span of four days.

The RedHawks will first head to Kent State University to take on the Golden Flashes (5-16, 4-7 MAC) on Wednesday. Miami bested the Flashes earlier this season at home and will look to get back to basics.

"We're going to have to go forward and focus on us," Fantanarosa said. "We're going to have to go back like it's the beginning of the season and just focus on fundamentals."

Miami is 4-1 in MAC East games this season and the team must bounce back as they start their final push for momentum heading into the MAC Tournament.