CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –  Norfolk State continued to struggle on the road as they fell to Northern Illinois, 69-38, in the Cavalier Classic at John Paul Jones Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Huskies improved to 5-7 while the Spartans fell to 2-10 for the season.

Senior Batavia Owens recorded a season-high eight points and three rebounds to lead the Spartans. Fellow senior Recca Trice and juniors Aivah Parham and Kashay Barnes each contributed six points for NSU.  The Spartans were held to 28.8 percent shooting while the Huskies finished the night at 46.7 percent from the floor.

Northern Illinois got on the board first as Amanda Corral drained a 3-pointer in the first 18 seconds of the game.

Parham showed a strong effort as she answered at the other end with a jumper with 17:39 left before halftime.

From there NIU would hit two consecutive 3-pointers including one from Alexis Lindstrom who was perfect (5-of-5) from 3-point range.  The Huskies shot 60 percent from behind the arc while the Spartans failed to make a 3-pointer.  NSU was 0-10 from behind the line and this was the second game in a row that NSU did not score a 3-pointer.

Freshman Tamara Majette's layup with 8:21 left before the half pulled the Spartans within 14 as NIU led 25-11.

The Huskies' Jenna Thorp got the floater with 26 seconds remaining in the first half to increase the lead to 22 as the Spartans trailed, 40-18.

NSU responded as Barnes nailed a jumper with five seconds left but the Spartans still trailed the Huskies, 40-20 at halftime.

Recca Trice nailed a pair of free throws with 17:00 left in the game but NSU continued to trail, 44-22.  Trice shot 100 (6-of-6) from the free throw line.

NIU led by as many as 36 points when Ashley Sneed nailed a jumper with 8:38 remaining in regulation to make the score 60-24.

Owens made a layup with 8:12 left to spark a 12-3 run for the Spartans.  Trice would cap the run with a pair of free throws with 2:54 remaining.  NIU led NSU, 63-36.

The Huskies had three players in double-figures.  Alexis Lindstrom led all scorers with 17 points.  Natecia Augusta tallied 12 points and six rebounds while Amanda Corral added 11 points, six rebounds and two steals.

NSU will return to action on Jan.3 when they travel they take on Hofstra at David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex in Hempstead, N.Y.  Tip-off is at 7 p.m.