The Northern Illinois University women’s basketball team released its 2024-25 non-conference schedule on Friday. The Huskies will play five home games at the NIU Convocation Center before Mid-American Conference play starting with their matchup against Louisiana in the MAC-SBC Challenge on Monday, Nov. 4.

“Our non-conference schedule is very challenging, but I think this team is ready for the challenge,” said head coach Lisa Carlsen. “We cannot wait to get started with this group.”

Two days later, NIU heads to Iowa City, Iowa to take on last season’s national championship runners-up Iowa. The Hawkeyes went 34-5 a year ago, winning the Big Ten Tournament and going all the way to the NCAA Tournament championship game for the second consecutive season. This is the first meeting between the two programs since 2017.

NIU is back at the Convo on Sunday, Nov. 10 for its first meeting against the St. Thomas Tommies. The Huskies then go on the road for matchups at Chicago State on Nov. 20 and at Milwaukee on Nov. 24. On Wednesday, Nov. 27 NIU will host UIC at the Convocation Center. The Huskies last hosted the Flames in DeKalb in 2013.

December starts with NIU heading to Columbia, Mo. to take on the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, Dec. 7. The Huskies then head to Lexington, Ky. for two games against Indiana State on Dec. 15 and Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 17 in the first meeting between the Huskies and Colonels. NIU defeated Indiana State last season in Puerto Rico 67-62. The Colonels were 22-12 last season and played in the postseason WNIT.

NIU closes its non-conference schedule with a pair of home games. The Huskies host Idaho State on Friday, Dec. 20 in the first meeting between the two programs. After the Christmas holiday NIU takes on Viterbo on Saturday, Dec. 28 before opening MAC play at Toledo on Jan. 1, 2025. The second game of the MAC/SBC Challenge will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8 at a Sun Belt opponent that will be announced in January.

The Huskies have reached the MAC Tournament in five of the last six seasons. NIU led the conference last season with nine Academic All-MAC selections, and was fourth in all of NCAA Division I in team grade point average at 3.811.

Women’s basketball season tickets are on sale now at NIUHuskies.com and by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at (815) 753-PACK (7225). Pricing starts at just $35 for general admission seats and $50 for reserved tickets located in section 103 as well as 111-113. Courtside seat season tickets for NIU women’s basketball are available for $275 which includes the cost of a season ticket plus a $225 per seat license.

Season passes for the Huskie Athletic Fund Victory Pub are also available for $100 for men’s or women’s basketball, with a combo season pass for both men’s and women’s basketball available for $150. Access to the Victory Pub is included with a women’s basketball courtside season ticket.

For information on suites and all premium experience areas, contact the Huskie Athletic Fund at 815-753-1923 or at HuskieAthleticFund@niu.edu.