DEKALB, Ill. (Interstat) — The Milwaukee Panthers used a dominant first-quarter offensive explosion to build a substantial lead and then withstood a late Northern Illinois rally to secure a 76-65 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Friday night at the Convocation Center.

Milwaukee improved its season record to 1-1, while Northern Illinois dropped to 0-2.

The game was decisively shaped by its opening period. The Panthers came out scorching, pouring in 29 points while holding the Huskies to 17. Milwaukee’s offensive efficiency was stark, as they shot a remarkable 9 of 17 from three-point range for the game. Their early success from beyond the arc created a cushion that proved vital as the game progressed.

Northern Illinois guard Nadechka Laccen, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, kept her team within reach with a game-high 26 points. However, the Huskies struggled to find consistent offense, shooting just 23 of 57 from the floor and 4 of 16 from three-point range. Their 20 turnovers also hampered their ability to mount a sustained comeback.

After its explosive start, Milwaukee’s offense cooled considerably in the second quarter, managing only seven points. This allowed Northern Illinois to chip away at the lead, but the Huskies could only muster eight points of their own in the period, leaving the Panthers ahead 36-25 at halftime.

The third quarter saw Milwaukee regain its footing, outscoring Northern Illinois 19-15 to take a 55-40 lead into the final period. The Huskies mounted their most significant challenge in the fourth, outscoring the Panthers 25-21, but the early deficit was too large to overcome.

Milwaukee’s victory was a balanced effort. Kendall Barnes, a guard from Minneapolis, provided a crucial spark off the bench, scoring 17 points in just 18 minutes of play. Forward Jorey Buwalda of Randolph, Wisconsin, was a force inside, just missing a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Guard Madison Fitzgibbon of Mequon, Wisconsin, added 15 points, all from three-point range, and dished out four assists. Micayla Silas of Oneida, Wisconsin, also contributed 11 points off the bench.

For Northern Illinois, Maria Serracanta of Sabadell, Spain, supported Laccen with 10 points and six rebounds. Marta Hermoso of Seville, Spain, added six points and four rebounds, while Nevaeh Wingate of Liverpool, New York, chipped in 10 points.

The game was a study in contrasting offensive execution. Milwaukee scored 76 points on 70 possessions for an offensive rating of 108.3, while Northern Illinois managed 65 points on 80 possessions for an offensive rating of 81.3. The Panthers also capitalized on their free-throw opportunities, making 23 of 34 attempts, compared to the Huskies’ 15 of 21.

The win gives Milwaukee momentum heading into a Monday night road game against in-state rival Wisconsin. Northern Illinois will look for its first win of the season when it hosts Western Illinois on Tuesday.