N. Illinois defeats Otahkians

DEKALB, Ill. -- A balanced Northern Illinois squad defeated the Southeast Missouri State Otahkians 71-63 Wednesday night at Evans Field House.

Northern Illinois had four players in double figures, while Southeast had only two.

Southeast (5-3) got 19 points and nine rebounds from Veronica Benson, while Pam Iversen scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds.

Kristan Knake led Northern Illinois (4-2) with 15 points.

NIU led 35-29 at halftime and outscored the Otahkians 36-34 in the second half.

The Otahkians shot terribly in the first half, hitting only 10 of their 30 shots.

The difference in the game came at the 3-point line, where Southeast hit only two of its eight attempts and Northern Illinois hit five of eight.