Ball State Dominates Northern Illinois in Convocation Center
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 4:45 PM ET · NIU Convocation Center
Ball State Cardinals 79, Northern Illinois Huskies 43, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Ball State Cardinals vs Northern Illinois Huskies?
Ball State Cardinals beat Northern Illinois Huskies 79-43 at NIU Convocation Center on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Ball State Cardinals vs Northern Illinois Huskies?
Northern Illinois Huskies were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -130 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.
In a decisive matchup at the NIU Convocation Center, the Ball State Cardinals triumphed over the Northern Illinois Huskies with a final score of 79-43. This game is noteworthy not just for the scoreline but also for the contrasting fortunes of both teams as they navigated through a challenging season. The Huskies, with a record of 9-19, faced the Cardinals, who held a record of 10-19, making this a critical game for both sides as they look to improve their standings.
The Huskies entered this game on a two-game losing streak, having lost their last match against the Toledo Rockets 79-69 and a previous home game against the Ohio Bobcats 74-66. Over their last ten games, the Huskies managed a record of 3-7, averaging 65.6 points scored per game while allowing 74.1 points. Their home record stood at 1-2 in their last three home games, with a recent average of 61.0 points scored and 75.8 points allowed in their last five games.
Conversely, the Cardinals were coming off a narrow victory against the Massachusetts Minutemen, winning 74-73, and had a record of 4-6 in their last ten games before this matchup. Ball State averaged 62.3 points scored and 69.6 points allowed during that stretch. Their away record was 2-3 in their last five games, with an average of 63.4 points scored and 71.6 points allowed.
Historically, the Cardinals had the upper hand in their recent encounters with the Huskies, winning two out of the last three meetings. In their previous matchup on January 24, 2026, Ball State won 58-53. This trend continued as they dominated the game, showcasing their ability to control the pace and flow of the game.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any players missing from either side, suggesting that both teams were at full strength for this critical encounter.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Northern Illinois favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 133.5. The odds reflected a competitive expectation, but the outcome was far from close. The conditions in the arena were typical for a late February evening, with both teams eager to capitalize on the home-court advantage for the Huskies, yet it was the Cardinals who thrived in the environment.
As the game unfolded, it became clear that Ball State's strategy was effective. They quickly established a lead and maintained it throughout the match. Key scoring plays included free throws from Carlos Coronado and Daemar Kelly, alongside crucial layups that extended their lead significantly. The Cardinals' ability to convert free throws and capitalize on their scoring opportunities was a decisive factor in their victory.
The final score of 79-43 underscores the Cardinals’ dominance in this matchup, as they effectively shut down the Huskies’ offense while executing their game plan with precision. The Huskies will need to regroup and reassess their strategies as they move forward in the season, while Ball State can take this victory as a momentum builder in their quest for a stronger finish to the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NIU -1.5 | 133.5 o -112 / u -108 | Ball State Cardinals +110 · Northern Illinois Huskies -130 |
Leaders
- PointsDaemar Kelly9Northern Illinois Huskies
- AssistsGianni Cobb3Northern Illinois Huskies
- ReboundsHassan Washington5Northern Illinois Huskies
- PointsDavion Hill17Ball State Cardinals
- AssistsDavion Hill7Ball State Cardinals
- ReboundsDavion Hill6Ball State Cardinals
Recent form
Northern Illinois Huskies
Last 10: 3-7Streak L265.6 scored · 74.1 allowed per game1-2 at home
- L69-79at Toledo RocketsFeb 25
- L66-74vs Ohio BobcatsFeb 21
- W72-70at Buffalo BullsFeb 17
- L46-88at Central Michigan ChippewasFeb 14
- L52-68vs Bowling Green FalconsFeb 12
- W75-74at Georgia State PanthersFeb 7
- L61-85at Miami (OH) RedHawksJan 31
- W85-65vs Western Michigan BroncosJan 28
- L53-58at Ball State CardinalsJan 24
- L77-80at Ohio BobcatsJan 21
Ball State Cardinals
Last 10: 4-6Streak W162.3 scored · 69.6 allowed per game2-3 away
- W74-73vs Massachusetts MinutemenFeb 25
- L65-78vs Akron ZipsFeb 20
- L57-69at Ohio BobcatsFeb 18
- L68-75vs Kent State Golden FlashesFeb 14
- L53-63vs Buffalo BullsFeb 12
- W73-68at UL Monroe WarhawksFeb 7
- L52-77at Bowling Green FalconsFeb 4
- L55-73at Toledo RocketsJan 31
- W58-53vs Northern Illinois HuskiesJan 24
- W68-67at Central Michigan ChippewasJan 21
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
| Wright State | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Robert Morris | 22-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| Green Bay | 18-15 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Detroit Mercy | 17-15 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Oakland | 16-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 17-15 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Northern Kentucky | 20-14 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Youngstown State | 15-17 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Milwaukee | 12-20 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Cleveland State | 11-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| IU Indianapolis | 7-25 | 12 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Ball State Cardinals | Northern Illinois Huskies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-60 | 11-43 |
| Field goal % | 50 | 26 |
| Three-pointers | 11-25 | 4-17 |
| Three-point % | 44 | 24 |
| Free throws | 8-10 | 17-23 |
| Free throw % | 80 | 74 |
| Rebounds | 39 | 27 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 31 | 23 |
| Assists | 20 | 6 |
| Steals | 7 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 14 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 8 |
| Fouls | 19 | 10 |
| Largest lead | 40 | 2 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 94 | 1 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half31-21Elmore James IV makes free throw 1 of 1
- 1st Half33-21Kayden Fish makes layup (Davion Hill assists)
- 1st Half33-23Taj Walters makes layup
- 1st Half33-24Gianni Cobb makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half33-25Gianni Cobb makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half36-25Elmore James IV makes 26-foot three point jumper (Mason Jones assists)
- 1st Half36-26Gianni Cobb makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half36-27Gianni Cobb makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half36-29Makhai Valentine makes 11-foot jumper
- 2nd Half38-29Preston Copeland makes layup (Devon Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half41-29Armoni Zeigler makes 25-foot three point jumper (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half43-29Armoni Zeigler makes layup
- 2nd Half46-29Davion Hill makes 25-foot three point jumper (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half49-29Devon Barnes makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mason Jones assists)
- 2nd Half51-29Armoni Zeigler makes layup
- 2nd Half52-29Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half54-29Armoni Zeigler makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half57-29Mason Jones makes 24-foot three point jumper (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half57-31Jaylen Wharton makes 17-foot jumper (Dylan Ducommun assists)
- 2nd Half58-31Kayden Fish makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-31Kayden Fish makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-31Kayden Fish makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-31Kayden Fish makes layup (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half63-31Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-31Elmore James IV makes 26-foot three point jumper (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half66-34Dylan Ducommun makes 25-foot three point jumper (Gianni Cobb assists)
- 2nd Half66-35Taj Walters makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-35Davion Hill makes layup
- 2nd Half71-35Juwan Maxey makes 23-foot three point jumper (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half73-35Juwan Maxey makes 21-foot jumper (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half75-35Davion Hill makes layup (Jai Anthoni Bearden assists)
- 2nd Half75-36Carlos Coronado makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-37Carlos Coronado makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-38Daemar Kelly makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-39Daemar Kelly makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-41Carlos Coronado makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half77-41Easton Foster makes layup (Cam Denson assists)
- 2nd Half77-42Carlos Coronado makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-43Carlos Coronado makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half79-43Jai Anthoni Bearden makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Northern Illinois Huskies, below favours Ball State Cardinals.
Venue
- NIU Convocation CenterDekalb, IL
- Attendance1887
- OfficialsCrystal Hogan, Brad Clauss, Tucson Grigg
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