Northwestern State Demons Defeat Houston Christian Huskies 71-53
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 4:30 PM ET · Prather Coliseum
Northwestern State Demons 71, Houston Christian Huskies 53, 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 Houston Christian Huskies vs Northwestern State Demons?
Northwestern State Demons beat Houston Christian Huskies 71-53 at Prather Coliseum on February 21, 2026.
Who was favored in Houston Christian Huskies vs Northwestern State Demons?
Northwestern State Demons were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -142 (about 59% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup, the Northwestern State Demons triumphed over the Houston Christian Huskies with a final score of 71-53 at Prather Coliseum. This victory was notable as it marked a significant turnaround for the Demons, who had struggled in recent games. With this win, Northwestern State improved their record to 10-19, while Houston Christian fell to 10-18.
Both teams entered the game with contrasting recent forms. The Demons had a record of 2-7-1 over their last ten games, with an average of 58.8 points scored and 62.2 points allowed. Their last game before this win was a loss to the McNeese Cowboys, where they fell 64-75. In contrast, the Huskies had a more favorable record of 5-5 in their last ten games, averaging 67.2 points scored and 69.6 points allowed. They were coming off two consecutive wins against the Nicholls Colonels and the LSU New Orleans Privateers, which had given them momentum heading into this game.
When considering home and away performances, the Demons had a home record of 1-3 in their last four games, while the Huskies struggled on the road with an away record of 0-4. This home advantage was crucial for the Demons, who were looking to capitalize on their familiar surroundings.
In terms of their previous meetings, the Demons and Huskies had faced each other three times in the last two seasons, with Northwestern State holding a 2-1 advantage. Their most recent encounter prior to this game was on January 20, 2026, when the Huskies narrowly defeated the Demons 82-80. However, Northwestern State had won their previous two matchups, including a 61-56 victory on March 1, 2025.
Injury-wise, the block did not provide specific details on player absences, but the overall performance of both teams could have been influenced by the health of their rosters.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Northwestern State favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 134.5. The odds indicated a competitive matchup, but the Demons' strong home performance ultimately outshone the expectations.
Conditions during the game were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere at Prather Coliseum likely played a role in energizing the home team.
As the game progressed, the Demons showcased their strength, particularly in the second half. Key plays included a driving layup by Izzy Miles and a series of free throws from Kylin Green and Micah Thomas, which helped to extend their lead. The final scoring plays saw Micah Thomas make a 14-foot pullup jump shot, solidifying the Demons' advantage.
Overall, this game highlighted the Demons' ability to bounce back after a rough stretch, while the Huskies will need to regroup following this setback.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NWST -2.5 | 134.5 o -108 / u -112 | Houston Christian Huskies +120 · Northwestern State Demons -142 |
Leaders
- PointsMicah Thomas23Northwestern State Demons
- AssistsCJ Larry2Northwestern State Demons
- ReboundsWillie Williams10Northwestern State Demons
- PointsKylin Green15Houston Christian Huskies
- AssistsD'Aundre Samuels2Houston Christian Huskies
- ReboundsDemarco Bethea7Houston Christian Huskies
Recent form
Northwestern State Demons
Last 10: 2-7-1Streak L158.8 scored · 62.2 allowed per game1-3 at home
- L64-75vs McNeese CowboysFeb 17
- W69-66vs SE Louisiana LionsFeb 14
- W70-68at Lamar CardinalsFeb 10
- L48-52at East Texas A&M LionsFeb 7
- L68-74vs East Texas A&M LionsFeb 5
- L58-61vs Nicholls ColonelsFeb 3
- L64-75at LSU New Orleans PrivateersJan 31
- L67-69at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksJan 27
- D0-0vs East Texas A&M LionsJan 24
- L80-82at Houston Christian HuskiesJan 20
Houston Christian Huskies
Last 10: 5-5Streak W267.2 scored · 69.6 allowed per game0-4 away
- W72-68vs Nicholls ColonelsFeb 17
- W61-60vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersFeb 14
- L69-73at McNeese CowboysFeb 10
- L47-55at SE Louisiana LionsFeb 7
- L57-74at UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosFeb 3
- L71-73at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersJan 31
- W81-75vs Incarnate Word CardinalsJan 28
- L51-68vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosJan 24
- W82-80vs Northwestern State DemonsJan 20
- W81-70vs East Texas A&M LionsJan 17
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen F. Austin | 28-6 | - | 20-2 |
| McNeese | 28-6 | 1 | 19-3 |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | 19-14 | 6 | 14-8 |
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 18-15 | 7 | 13-9 |
| LSU New Orleans | 15-18 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Nicholls | 14-19 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Houston Christian | 12-20 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Northwestern State | 10-22 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Incarnate Word | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| Lamar | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| East Texas A&M | 11-21 | 14 | 6-16 |
| SE Louisiana | 9-22 | 14 | 6-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Houston Christian Huskies | Northwestern State Demons |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 20-53 | 26-54 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 5-18 | 4-14 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 29 |
| Free throws | 8-12 | 15-19 |
| Free throw % | 67 | 79 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 28 |
| Assists | 5 | 6 |
| Steals | 2 | 4 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 7 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 19 |
| Fast-break points | 0 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 34 |
| Fouls | 19 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 20 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 10 | 88 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half23-34Kordrick Turner makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 1st Half23-35Izzy Miles makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half25-35Ryan Bartley makes 9-foot jumper
- 1st Half25-37Izzy Miles makes driving layup
- 2nd Half25-39Willie Williams makes 3-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half27-39D'Aundre Samuels makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half28-39D'Aundre Samuels makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half28-40Micah Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half28-41Micah Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half29-41Ryan Bartley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half30-41Ryan Bartley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half30-43Micah Thomas makes 16-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half30-45Izzy Miles makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half30-46Kordrick Turner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half30-49Landyn Jumawan makes 23-foot three point jumper (Izzy Miles assists)
- 2nd Half32-49Demarco Bethea makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half35-49D'Aundre Samuels makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half38-49Demari Williams makes 25-foot three point jumper (D'Aundre Samuels assists)
- 2nd Half38-51Izzy Miles makes 18-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half38-53Willie Williams makes layup
- 2nd Half40-53Ryan Bartley makes 0-foot dunk (Trent Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half40-56Micah Thomas makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half40-57Micah Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-58Micah Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-58Ryan Bartley makes 7-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half42-60Chris Mubiru makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-60Kylin Green makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-62Willie Williams makes layup
- 2nd Half45-62Kylin Green makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-63Izzy Miles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-65Willie Williams makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half47-65Mambourou Mara makes 5-foot dunk (D'Aundre Samuels assists)
- 2nd Half47-67Izzy Miles makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-67Kylin Green makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-67Kylin Green makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-67Caleb Gaston makes layup (Kylin Green assists)
- 2nd Half51-68Micah Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-69Micah Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-71Micah Thomas makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half53-71Kylin Green makes 19-foot pullup jump shot
Win probability
Above the line favours Northwestern State Demons, below favours Houston Christian Huskies.
Venue
- Prather ColiseumNatchitoches, LA
- Attendance450
- OfficialsDoug George, Ross Cullins, Kevin Montz
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Picks for NCAAB
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- Huskies Edge Demons in Thrilling FinishJan 19, 2026