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Sunday, December 14
Fort Wayne, Ind.
2 PM
Purdue Fort Wayne
vs
Northern Illinois
Lauren Lee
Photo by: Josh Gales
NIU Visits Mastodon WBB For Horizon League Preview
12/12/2025 1:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Purdue Fort Wayne women's basketball fans will get a preview of next year's Horizon League newcomer when Northern Illinois comes to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on Sunday (Dec. 14) for a 2 p.m. contest.
The game will be the first of a doubleheader with the men's program, which will play Horizon League foe Detroit Mercy.
Game Day Information
Who: Northern Illinois Huskies
When: Sunday, December 14 | 2 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: WELT 95.7
Tickets: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Northern Illinois | Horizon League
Know Your Foe
Northern Illinois is 2-7 this season with wins over SIUE and Chicago State. NIU is coming off a 105-52 loss at No. 10 Iowa State. The Huskies are on a tough shooting stretch, ranking in the bottom 40 in field goal percentage and bottom 10 in 3-point shooting nationally. In a Horizon League preview, NIU fell to Milwaukee 76-65 despite 26 points from Nadechka Laccen, the Huskies' leading scorer. Navaeh Wingate matches her at 12.1 points per contest.
Series History
The Mastodons are 0-2 against NIU in the series. The third game will be the last non-league matchup between the two for the foreseeable future, as NIU is joining the Horizon League for the 2026-27 season.
3-0 Starts
The Mastodons are 3-0 to start Horizon League play. There have only been seven other Mastodon teams to start 3-0 in league play, three of which were under Maria Marchesano: 2024-25 (Horizon), 2023-24 (Horizon), 2021-22 (Horizon), 2009-10 (Summit), 1995-96 (GLVC), 1993-94 (GLVC) and 1989-90 (GLVC).
3-Ball Fun
The Mastodons are 2-0 this season when they hit 10 or more 3-pointers this season. Under Maria Marchesano's leadership, the 'Dons have had 51 such games with a 40-11 record in those games.
20-20-20 Vision
Alana Nelson scored 20+ points in three games in a row (IU Indy, Wright State and Milwaukee). She joins an elite group of Mastodons to do so in the Division I era.
Amy Gearlds (twice) - 2002-03, 2003-04
Johnna Lewis-Carlisle - 2005-06
Ashley Johnson - 2006-07
Stephanie Rosado - 2011-12
Amanda Hyde (five times) - 2012-13, 2013-14
Lauren Ross - 2024-25
A Week of Alana
Alana Nelson was selected as the Horizon League Player of the Week on December 8. After the first week of league play, Nelson averaged 24.5 points per game, which led the league by 7.0 points per game. She had 23 points at IU Indy, then followed it up with 26 against Wright State.
Career Points Tracker
Let's take a look at the career scoring numbers for the three former NAIA All-Americans on the roster regardless of level.
Alana Nelson - 2,453 (482 at Northwood, 1,787 at Spring Arbor, 184 at PFW)
Jordan Reid - 1,778 (1,395 at Indiana Wesleyan, 383 at PFW)
Lauren Lee - 1,659 (1,630 at Campbellsville, 29 at PFW)
All Signs Point to Nelson
Of all players currently at the Division I level, Alana Nelson has the most career points when counting all levels of play. She owns 2,453 points in her six years of college basketball at Northwood (2), Spring Arbor (3) and Purdue Fort Wayne (1).
3-Point Threat
Rylee Bess is off to the best start by a freshman in terms of 3-point shooting since Jordan Zuppe in 2007-08. Zuppe shot 43.3 percent on 74 makes in her freshman season. Bess is at 43.5 percent with 20 makes.
They're Playing a Lot, Huh?
Alana Nelson (35.2) and Jordan Reid (33.4) lead the Horizon League in minutes played per game.
Look at Lee!
Through three Horizon League games, Lauren Lee leads the HL with 5.0 assists per game. She also has a 3.8 assist to turnover ratio, which is second-best.
In the HL
Alana Nelson's 16.7 points per game leads the Horizon League and her 50.0 field goal percentage ranks second in the league. Her 39.3 3-point percentage is fourth. In a small sample size of league play, she leads the league with 23.0 points per game.
Reid About Jordan
Jordan Reid is the only player in the Horizon League in the top-five in both rebounding (6.5) and steals (2.5) per game.
I'll Take That
Jordan Reid is averaging 2.5 steals per game, which ranks second in the Horizon League and top-70 nationally. If that average holds for a season-long mark, it would be second-best in the program's Division I era and fourth-best overall.
Inside The Arc? Guaranteed Bucket
Lili Krasovec is shooting 64.6 percent from the floor this season (42-for-65). If she qualified for the leaderboard with enough attempts, she would lead the Horizon League in the field goal percentage category. Once she reaches 75 made baskets, she would qualify for the season mark in Mastodon history. Her 64.6 percent would rank first, topping Jazzlyn Linbo's 58.3 from last season.
Home Sweet Gates
Purdue Fort Wayne is 47-21 (69.1 percent) at home under head coach Maria Marchesano and 32-6 (84.2 percent) over the last three seasons.
Magic Numbers 70 and 80
Under head coach Maria Marchesano, the Mastodons are 53-8 when they score 70 points or more and 24-2 when they hit 80.
Bench Mob
Purdue Fort Wayne's bench is out-scoring its opponents' benches 214-185 this season. The Mastodon bench has led in bench points in seven of its 11 games.
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne beat Milwaukee 70-60 on December 10 behind 20 points from Alana Nelson. Nika Lokica had a season-high 16 points to back up Nelson.
Next Time Up
Before a 10-day holiday break, Purdue Fort Wayne will welcome Aquinas on December 19 at 2 p.m. at the Gates Sports Center.
The game will be the first of a doubleheader with the men's program, which will play Horizon League foe Detroit Mercy.
Game Day Information
Who: Northern Illinois Huskies
When: Sunday, December 14 | 2 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: WELT 95.7
Tickets: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Northern Illinois | Horizon League
Know Your Foe
Northern Illinois is 2-7 this season with wins over SIUE and Chicago State. NIU is coming off a 105-52 loss at No. 10 Iowa State. The Huskies are on a tough shooting stretch, ranking in the bottom 40 in field goal percentage and bottom 10 in 3-point shooting nationally. In a Horizon League preview, NIU fell to Milwaukee 76-65 despite 26 points from Nadechka Laccen, the Huskies' leading scorer. Navaeh Wingate matches her at 12.1 points per contest.
Series History
The Mastodons are 0-2 against NIU in the series. The third game will be the last non-league matchup between the two for the foreseeable future, as NIU is joining the Horizon League for the 2026-27 season.
3-0 Starts
The Mastodons are 3-0 to start Horizon League play. There have only been seven other Mastodon teams to start 3-0 in league play, three of which were under Maria Marchesano: 2024-25 (Horizon), 2023-24 (Horizon), 2021-22 (Horizon), 2009-10 (Summit), 1995-96 (GLVC), 1993-94 (GLVC) and 1989-90 (GLVC).
3-Ball Fun
The Mastodons are 2-0 this season when they hit 10 or more 3-pointers this season. Under Maria Marchesano's leadership, the 'Dons have had 51 such games with a 40-11 record in those games.
20-20-20 Vision
Alana Nelson scored 20+ points in three games in a row (IU Indy, Wright State and Milwaukee). She joins an elite group of Mastodons to do so in the Division I era.
Amy Gearlds (twice) - 2002-03, 2003-04
Johnna Lewis-Carlisle - 2005-06
Ashley Johnson - 2006-07
Stephanie Rosado - 2011-12
Amanda Hyde (five times) - 2012-13, 2013-14
Lauren Ross - 2024-25
A Week of Alana
Alana Nelson was selected as the Horizon League Player of the Week on December 8. After the first week of league play, Nelson averaged 24.5 points per game, which led the league by 7.0 points per game. She had 23 points at IU Indy, then followed it up with 26 against Wright State.
Career Points Tracker
Let's take a look at the career scoring numbers for the three former NAIA All-Americans on the roster regardless of level.
Alana Nelson - 2,453 (482 at Northwood, 1,787 at Spring Arbor, 184 at PFW)
Jordan Reid - 1,778 (1,395 at Indiana Wesleyan, 383 at PFW)
Lauren Lee - 1,659 (1,630 at Campbellsville, 29 at PFW)
All Signs Point to Nelson
Of all players currently at the Division I level, Alana Nelson has the most career points when counting all levels of play. She owns 2,453 points in her six years of college basketball at Northwood (2), Spring Arbor (3) and Purdue Fort Wayne (1).
3-Point Threat
Rylee Bess is off to the best start by a freshman in terms of 3-point shooting since Jordan Zuppe in 2007-08. Zuppe shot 43.3 percent on 74 makes in her freshman season. Bess is at 43.5 percent with 20 makes.
They're Playing a Lot, Huh?
Alana Nelson (35.2) and Jordan Reid (33.4) lead the Horizon League in minutes played per game.
Look at Lee!
Through three Horizon League games, Lauren Lee leads the HL with 5.0 assists per game. She also has a 3.8 assist to turnover ratio, which is second-best.
In the HL
Alana Nelson's 16.7 points per game leads the Horizon League and her 50.0 field goal percentage ranks second in the league. Her 39.3 3-point percentage is fourth. In a small sample size of league play, she leads the league with 23.0 points per game.
Reid About Jordan
Jordan Reid is the only player in the Horizon League in the top-five in both rebounding (6.5) and steals (2.5) per game.
I'll Take That
Jordan Reid is averaging 2.5 steals per game, which ranks second in the Horizon League and top-70 nationally. If that average holds for a season-long mark, it would be second-best in the program's Division I era and fourth-best overall.
Inside The Arc? Guaranteed Bucket
Lili Krasovec is shooting 64.6 percent from the floor this season (42-for-65). If she qualified for the leaderboard with enough attempts, she would lead the Horizon League in the field goal percentage category. Once she reaches 75 made baskets, she would qualify for the season mark in Mastodon history. Her 64.6 percent would rank first, topping Jazzlyn Linbo's 58.3 from last season.
Home Sweet Gates
Purdue Fort Wayne is 47-21 (69.1 percent) at home under head coach Maria Marchesano and 32-6 (84.2 percent) over the last three seasons.
Magic Numbers 70 and 80
Under head coach Maria Marchesano, the Mastodons are 53-8 when they score 70 points or more and 24-2 when they hit 80.
Bench Mob
Purdue Fort Wayne's bench is out-scoring its opponents' benches 214-185 this season. The Mastodon bench has led in bench points in seven of its 11 games.
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne beat Milwaukee 70-60 on December 10 behind 20 points from Alana Nelson. Nika Lokica had a season-high 16 points to back up Nelson.
Next Time Up
Before a 10-day holiday break, Purdue Fort Wayne will welcome Aquinas on December 19 at 2 p.m. at the Gates Sports Center.
~ Feel the Rumble ~
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