Tip-off: Noon Saturday at BG's Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio

Records: NIU 6-14, 2-7 in Mid-American Conference; Bowling Green 8-13, 1-8 MAC

All-time series: BG leads 24-17. The Huskies defeated the Falcons in both meetings last year.

Who to watch: Gabby Nikitianite has scored at least 15 points in three of her last four games, and has rebounded from a stretch in which she didn't see the floor much in three consecutive scoreless games. Nikitinaite has been a playmaker as of late, creating scoring opportunities for others as well as herself including with five assists in a win over Buffalo. Bowling Green's Madisen Parker is lethal from behind the 3-point arc, shooting a MAC-best 47.6%, 70 of 146.

The lowdown: NIU's defense has buckled down the last three games, as each time the Huskies have held their opponent under 40% shooting. On the flip side, NIU's offense has struggled, having not scored more than 64 points over that stretch. Parker was held scoreless in Bowling Green's loss to Kent State Wednesday. BG's only MAC win is a Western Michigan squad that defeated the Huskies. The Falcons distribute a conference-leading 17.0 assists per game.

Key to the game: Whichever team doesn't go long stretches without scoring will win the game. NIU can't go five to six minutes without scoring and expect to win against the team with the MAC's second-best best shooting percentage (45.3%).