Northern Iowa Tops Bradley in Defensive Showdown
Friday, February 6, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · McLeod Center
Northern Iowa Panthers 61, Bradley Braves 49, 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 Bradley Braves vs Northern Iowa Panthers?
Northern Iowa Panthers beat Bradley Braves 61-49 at McLeod Center on February 6, 2026.
Who was favored in Bradley Braves vs Northern Iowa Panthers?
Northern Iowa Panthers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -180 (about 64% implied). The favorite won.
The Northern Iowa Panthers secured a decisive victory over the Bradley Braves with a final score of 61-49 at McLeod Center. This win marks a significant moment for the Panthers, who have struggled in their recent matchups against Bradley, having lost two of their last three meetings. In this contest, Northern Iowa showcased a strong defensive performance, limiting Bradley to just 49 points, well below their average scoring of 77.2 in their last ten games.
Northern Iowa entered the game with a home record of 15-9 and a recent form of 4-6 over their last ten games, including a win in their previous outing against Evansville. The Panthers had an average of 63.2 points scored and allowed 64.5 points during this stretch. Their scoring average dipped to 60.0 points in the last five games, reflecting a need for improvement on the offensive end. They had a mixed home record of 3-2 in their last five games, showing they could perform well at home but struggled against tougher opponents.
On the other hand, Bradley came into the game with a slightly better away record of 16-9, riding a two-game winning streak. The Braves had averaged 77.2 points scored and 77.8 points allowed over their last ten games, which included a recent victory against Valparaiso. However, their away performance had been less impressive, with a record of 2-3 in their last five games, indicating challenges in maintaining their scoring prowess outside of their home venue.
The teams had met previously this season on January 10, where Bradley emerged victorious with a score of 75-69. This history added to the anticipation of the matchup, as Northern Iowa sought to turn the tables at home. The Panthers had won the last meeting at home in the previous season, which added a layer of rivalry to the game.
In terms of injuries, both teams appeared to be at full strength, which contributed to the competitive nature of the game. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Northern Iowa as 3.5-point favorites, with a total set at 134.5 points. This indicated expectations for a relatively low-scoring affair, which ultimately aligned with the outcome.
Conditions in the McLeod Center were typical for a basketball game, with a charged atmosphere as fans supported their home team. The game featured a series of scoring plays that highlighted Northern Iowa's ability to capitalize on defensive stops and transition opportunities. Key moments included a three-point jumper by Max Weisbrod that pushed the score to 61-47, showcasing the Panthers' ability to stretch their lead in crucial moments.
As the game progressed, Northern Iowa's defense proved to be the difference-maker. They effectively contained Bradley's offensive threats, forcing them into difficult shots and limiting their scoring opportunities. The Panthers' ability to hold Bradley to 49 points was a testament to their strategic defensive execution.
Overall, the matchup between Northern Iowa and Bradley was a significant contest in the NCAAB landscape, with the Panthers demonstrating their resilience and defensive capabilities. The victory not only improved their record but also provided a much-needed boost in confidence as they move forward in the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UNI -3.5 | 134.5 o -112 / u -108 | Bradley Braves +150 · Northern Iowa Panthers -180 |
Leaders
- PointsBen Schwieger15Northern Iowa Panthers
- AssistsWill Hornseth6Northern Iowa Panthers
- ReboundsWill Hornseth9Northern Iowa Panthers
- PointsJaquan Johnson14Bradley Braves
- AssistsJaquan Johnson2Bradley Braves
- ReboundsTimoty van der Knaap7Bradley Braves
Recent form
Northern Iowa Panthers
Last 10: 4-6Streak W163.2 scored · 64.5 allowed per game3-2 at home
- W71-55vs Evansville Purple AcesJan 31
- L50-65at Southern Illinois SalukisJan 29
- W81-76vs Murray State RacersJan 24
- L54-59at Illinois State RedbirdsJan 22
- L44-54at Valparaiso BeaconsJan 17
- L61-69vs UIC FlamesJan 14
- L69-75at Bradley BravesJan 10
- L65-78vs Belmont BruinsJan 8
- W62-48at Evansville Purple AcesJan 4
- W75-66vs Indiana State SycamoresJan 2
Bradley Braves
Last 10: 6-4Streak W277.2 scored · 77.8 allowed per game2-3 away
- W72-65vs Valparaiso BeaconsFeb 4
- W87-73at Drake BulldogsJan 31
- L70-85vs UIC FlamesJan 25
- W75-68vs Indiana State SycamoresJan 22
- L62-88at Illinois State RedbirdsJan 17
- W94-90at Evansville Purple AcesJan 14
- W75-69vs Northern Iowa PanthersJan 10
- W93-66vs Drake BulldogsJan 8
- L66-86at Murray State RacersJan 4
- L78-88at Belmont BruinsJan 2
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 | Bradley Braves | Northern Iowa Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 14-42 | 23-52 |
| Field goal % | 33 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 9-23 | 4-16 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 25 |
| Free throws | 12-13 | 11-15 |
| Free throw % | 92 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 26 | 33 |
| Offensive rebounds | 4 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 24 |
| Assists | 9 | 14 |
| Steals | 4 | 8 |
| Blocks | 5 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 5 | 20 |
| Fast-break points | 3 | 2 |
| Points in the paint | 10 | 30 |
| Fouls | 15 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 19 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 7 | 86 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half16-19Trey Campbell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half16-21Ben Schwieger makes 12-foot floating jump shot (Trey Campbell assists)
- 1st Half19-21Alex Huibregtse makes 24-foot three point jumper (Montana Wheeler assists)
- 1st Half19-23Will Hornseth makes layup
- 1st Half21-23Ahmet Jonovic makes 6-foot hook shot
- 1st Half21-24Kyle Pock makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half21-25Kyle Pock makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half22-25Jaquan Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half23-25Jaquan Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half23-26Ben Schwieger makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half23-27Ben Schwieger makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half23-29Kyle Pock makes layup (Max Weisbrod assists)
- 1st Half23-30Kyle Pock makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half23-32Ben Schwieger makes layup
- 2nd Half24-32AJ Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half26-32Jaquan Johnson makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half26-34Trey Campbell makes layup (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half26-37Leon Bond III makes 25-foot three point jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half29-37Jaquan Johnson makes 28-foot three point jumper (Corey Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half29-39Will Hornseth makes layup
- 2nd Half29-41Ben Schwieger makes 4-foot alley oop dunk (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half29-43Leon Bond III makes 15-foot jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half32-43Timoty van der Knaap makes 26-foot three point jumper (Montana Wheeler assists)
- 2nd Half32-45Trey Campbell makes layup (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half32-48Ismael Diouf makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kyle Pock assists)
- 2nd Half35-48Jaquan Johnson makes 26-foot three point jumper (Timoty van der Knaap assists)
- 2nd Half35-50Ben Schwieger makes layup
- 2nd Half36-50Corey Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half37-50Corey Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half37-52Will Hornseth makes layup
- 2nd Half37-54Will Hornseth makes layup
- 2nd Half39-54Jaquan Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half39-56Will Hornseth makes layup (Ben Schwieger assists)
- 2nd Half39-58Trey Campbell makes 16-foot jumper
- 2nd Half42-58Alex Huibregtse makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jaquan Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half43-58Jaquan Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-58Jaquan Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-58AJ Smith makes 24-foot three point jumper (Corey Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half47-61Max Weisbrod makes 23-foot three point jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half49-61Montana Wheeler makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Northern Iowa Panthers, below favours Bradley Braves.
Venue
- McLeod CenterCedar Falls, IA
- Attendance4186
- OfficialsKipp Kissinger, Chance Moore, Tyler Pumpf
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