NIU women come back in final 30 seconds for opening day win

Ashlynn Brooke’s 3-point play with 28 seconds left gave NIU the lead for good in their 76-71 home win against Indiana State in DeKalb on Monday in the season opener for both teams.The Sycamores went ahead eight seconds earlier on a layup by Kristen McMillan. NIU’s last lead was at 67-66 ith 2:08 left and had led as much as 65-59 with 3:33 left in the fourth after an Anna Stromberg layup.Leah Middleton led the Huskies with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting and was 3 of 6 from long range and 5 for 6 from the free-throw line. She had four rebounds, two assists and two steals.Laniah Davis scored 20 for NIU on 8-of-12 shooting, made all of her three of her 3-pointers and grabbed five boards.The Huskies led by as much as 38-23 in the game and the Sycamores never led by more than two. Indiana State was in the lead for 44 seconds. Brooke finished with 11 points and was 5 for 7 from the line.The Huskies’ next scheduled game is 6 p.m. Friday at Bradley.