Belmont Bruins Defeat Northern Iowa Panthers 78-65
Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · McLeod Center
Belmont Bruins 78, Northern Iowa Panthers 65, 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 Belmont Bruins vs Northern Iowa Panthers?
Belmont Bruins beat Northern Iowa Panthers 78-65 at McLeod Center on January 7, 2026.
Who was favored in Belmont Bruins vs Northern Iowa Panthers?
Northern Iowa Panthers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -142 (about 59% implied). The underdog won.
In a decisive matchup, the Belmont Bruins triumphed over the Northern Iowa Panthers with a final score of 78-65. This victory marks Belmont's continued success in their recent campaign, as they improved their overall record to 15-3, while Northern Iowa fell to 12-5. The game took place at the McLeod Center on January 8, 2026, and showcased the Bruins' offensive prowess, particularly in the second half.
Belmont entered the game with a strong away record of 5-1, having averaged 80.4 points in their last five games, while allowing 72.6 points. Their recent form included a notable win against the Bradley Braves on January 2, where they scored 88 points. However, they faced a setback in their previous game against the Southern Illinois Salukis, losing narrowly by a single point, 67-68. In contrast, Northern Iowa had a home record of 4-1 and was riding a three-game winning streak prior to this matchup, averaging 62.6 points while allowing 55.8 in their last five games. Their last game resulted in a solid win against the Indiana State Sycamores, where they scored 75 points.
The Bruins' offensive strategy was evident throughout the game, as they consistently found ways to score, particularly in the second half. Key plays included a 30-foot three-point jumper by Max Weisbrod and a series of free throws by Isaiah West, who contributed significantly to the scoreline. The Panthers struggled to keep pace, especially after a strong start, as they found themselves trailing by 13 points at one stage in the second half.
In terms of head-to-head meetings, this matchup was notable as it was the third encounter between these two teams in the last season, with Belmont previously winning both earlier games. The Bruins had won 82-75 in a previous away game and 76-70 at home, showcasing their ability to perform well against the Panthers.
The betting market reflected Belmont's strong performance, with DraftKings listing the Bruins as underdogs with a moneyline of +120, while the Panthers were favored at -142. The spread was set at -2.5 for Northern Iowa, indicating a close contest expected by the bookmakers. The total points line was set at 137.5, which reflects the offensive capabilities of both teams.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details affecting either team, but both squads appeared to be at full strength for this important game. The conditions at the McLeod Center were typical for a winter evening, with a spirited crowd supporting the home team, but it was the Bruins who ultimately silenced the home fans with their performance.
As the game progressed, viewers were treated to a display of skillful shooting and strategic plays, with Belmont's ability to capitalize on free throw opportunities and three-point shooting making a significant difference. The final score of 78-65 not only highlights Belmont's offensive capabilities but also underscores the challenges faced by Northern Iowa in maintaining their defensive structure against a high-scoring opponent.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UNI -2.5 | 137.5 o -108 / u -112 | Belmont Bruins +120 · Northern Iowa Panthers -142 |
Leaders
- PointsBen Schwieger12Northern Iowa Panthers
- AssistsTrey Campbell7Northern Iowa Panthers
- ReboundsLeon Bond III7Northern Iowa Panthers
- PointsJack Smiley19Belmont Bruins
- AssistsJack Smiley6Belmont Bruins
- ReboundsDrew Scharnowski9Belmont Bruins
Recent form
Northern Iowa Panthers
Last 10: 7-3Streak W368.8 scored · 56.4 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W62-48at Evansville Purple AcesJan 4
- W75-66vs Indiana State SycamoresJan 2
- W58-48vs Valparaiso BeaconsDec 30
- L58-63at Saint Mary's GaelsDec 23
- W60-54at UIC FlamesDec 17
- W75-63vs Oakland Golden GrizzliesDec 13
- L69-74vs Wichita State ShockersDec 7
- W99-34vs Coe KohawksDec 2
- L60-63at Tulsa Golden HurricaneNov 26
- W72-51at Loyola Chicago RamblersNov 25
Belmont Bruins
Last 10: 7-3Streak L183.1 scored · 73.8 allowed per game5-1 away
- L67-68vs Southern Illinois SalukisJan 4
- W88-78vs Bradley BravesJan 2
- L80-81at Indiana State SycamoresDec 30
- W84-58at UC Irvine AnteatersDec 20
- W83-78at Evansville Purple AcesDec 17
- W87-84vs UIC FlamesDec 13
- W83-62at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersDec 7
- L76-84vs Richmond SpidersDec 4
- W96-73at Charleston CougarsNov 30
- W87-72at Toledo RocketsNov 26
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 26-6 | - | 16-4 |
| Bradley | 21-13 | 3 | 13-7 |
| Illinois State | 23-13 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Murray State | 20-13 | 4 | 12-8 |
| UIC | 19-16 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Northern Iowa | 23-13 | 5 | 11-9 |
| Valparaiso | 18-15 | 5 | 11-9 |
| Southern Illinois | 16-16 | 6 | 10-10 |
| Drake | 14-20 | 10 | 6-14 |
| Indiana State | 11-21 | 12 | 4-16 |
| Evansville | 7-25 | 13 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Belmont Bruins | Northern Iowa Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-50 | 23-59 |
| Field goal % | 60 | 39 |
| Three-pointers | 10-21 | 12-36 |
| Three-point % | 48 | 33 |
| Free throws | 8-15 | 7-10 |
| Free throw % | 53 | 70 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 26 |
| Offensive rebounds | 5 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 29 | 18 |
| Assists | 17 | 16 |
| Steals | 3 | 2 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 3 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 6 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 22 |
| Fouls | 16 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 16 | 1 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 95 | 4 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half34-32Ismael Diouf makes 4-foot dunk (Trey Campbell assists)
- 1st Half36-32Tyler Lundblade makes 15-foot jumper (Jack Smiley assists)
- 2nd Half36-33Ben Schwieger makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-34Ben Schwieger makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-34Tyler Lundblade makes 27-foot three point jumper (Drew Scharnowski assists)
- 2nd Half41-34Drew Scharnowski makes layup
- 2nd Half43-34Drew Scharnowski makes layup
- 2nd Half43-36Will Hornseth makes layup
- 2nd Half43-39Ben Schwieger makes 23-foot three point jumper (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half45-39Drew Scharnowski makes layup
- 2nd Half46-39Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half46-41Kyle Pock makes layup
- 2nd Half48-41Jack Smiley makes layup
- 2nd Half50-41Tyler Lundblade makes layup (Drew Scharnowski assists)
- 2nd Half50-43Trey Campbell makes layup
- 2nd Half52-43Sam Orme makes 8-foot dunk (Brigham Rogers assists)
- 2nd Half52-45Leon Bond III makes layup (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half52-48Kyle Pock makes 26-foot three point jumper (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half53-48Sam Orme makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-48Sam Orme makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-51Leon Bond III makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ben Schwieger assists)
- 2nd Half56-51Brigham Rogers makes layup (Jack Smiley assists)
- 2nd Half59-51Jack Smiley makes 27-foot three point jumper (Brigham Rogers assists)
- 2nd Half61-51Jabez Jenkins makes layup (Jack Smiley assists)
- 2nd Half62-51Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half62-53Ismael Diouf makes 5-foot dunk (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half64-53Drew Scharnowski makes 5-foot dunk (Brigham Rogers assists)
- 2nd Half67-53Jack Smiley makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half69-53Drew Scharnowski makes layup (Tyler Lundblade assists)
- 2nd Half69-56Ben Schwieger makes 27-foot three point jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half72-56Sam Orme makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jabez Jenkins assists)
- 2nd Half72-58Leon Bond III makes layup
- 2nd Half72-59Leon Bond III makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half74-59Isaiah West makes 5-foot dunk
- 2nd Half74-62Max Weisbrod makes 30-foot three point jumper (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half75-62Isaiah West makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-62Isaiah West makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-65Max Weisbrod makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ismael Diouf assists)
- 2nd Half77-65Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-65Tyler Lundblade makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Northern Iowa Panthers, below favours Belmont Bruins.
Venue
- McLeod CenterCedar Falls, IA
- Attendance3626
- OfficialsJeff Campbell, Tyler Kumpf, Eric Curry
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