PREPARE AS IF TO FACE CONNECTICUT.

We've noted the recent successes of the Northern Illinois women's basketball squad, including a fast start in the conference and a gaudy 90 points per game on average.  That fast start included road wins against strong Kent State and Toledo teams.  After those road trips, a home stand, commencing with Akron, naught in five conference games, and a low team scoring average.

Trap game.

The usually high-scoring Huskies struggled from the floor and suffered their first conference loss in a 84-55 defeat to Akron on Wednesday afternoon at the NIU Convocation Center.

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Huskies.

At least one player took an education from the outcome.

“Credit to Akron, they put on a [heck] of a show,” [sophomore Courtney] Woods said. “They shot the crap out of the ball, and I don’t think we knew how to react to that because I think we felt like we could walk in and come out with a 20-point win.”

The game was still manageable early in the third quarter.  On any given Wednesday ...