Illinois State Edges Northern Iowa in Close Contest
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · McLeod Center
Illinois State Redbirds 71, Northern Iowa Panthers 69, 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 Illinois State Redbirds vs Northern Iowa Panthers?
Illinois State Redbirds beat Northern Iowa Panthers 71-69 at McLeod Center on February 25, 2026.
Who was favored in Illinois State Redbirds vs Northern Iowa Panthers?
Northern Iowa Panthers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -225 (about 69% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at the McLeod Center, the Illinois State Redbirds narrowly defeated the Northern Iowa Panthers with a final score of 71-69. This victory was significant for Illinois State, as it marked a crucial win in their campaign, improving their overall record to 20-11, while Northern Iowa fell to 18-13.
The game showcased a tightly contested battle, reflecting both teams' recent form. Northern Iowa entered the game with a record of 6-4 over their last ten outings, but they were on a one-game losing streak after falling to Southern Illinois Salukis by a score of 57-59 in their most recent game. The Panthers had averaged 71.6 points scored and allowed 63.6 points during this stretch. Their home record was strong at 4-1, but they struggled in their last five games with an average of 79.8 points scored and 66.4 points allowed.
On the other hand, Illinois State had a record of 5-5 in their last ten games and was also on a one-game losing streak after losing to the Bradley Braves 60-74. The Redbirds averaged 69.4 points scored and 69.9 points allowed during this span. Their away record was less impressive at 1-4, and they had averaged 72.0 points scored and allowed 74.0 points in their last five games.
The two teams had met earlier in the season, with Illinois State winning the previous encounter 59-54 on January 22, 2026. In their last three meetings, Illinois State now holds a 2-1 advantage over Northern Iowa, having also won a close game in February 2025, 68-65.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams would have been keen to field their best players for such an important game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Northern Iowa favored by 4.5 points with a total set at 132.5. The moneyline odds were -225 for Northern Iowa and +185 for Illinois State, indicating a strong belief in the Panthers' chances before the game.
The conditions at the McLeod Center were typical for a late February basketball game, with both teams eager to secure a win as the season neared its conclusion. Fans were treated to a competitive atmosphere, with both sides exchanging leads throughout the match.
Key moments in the game included several scoring plays in the second half that showcased the tight nature of the contest. Trey Campbell made pivotal free throws that tied the game at 65, and Chase Walker's layup gave Illinois State a crucial lead. The Redbirds maintained their composure down the stretch, with Johnny Kinziger sealing the victory with a jumper and a free throw in the final moments.
As the game concluded, Northern Iowa's hopes for a comeback fell short, and Illinois State celebrated a hard-fought victory that could have implications for their postseason aspirations. The Redbirds' ability to execute in clutch moments was a defining factor in this closely contested game.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UNI -4.5 | 132.5 o -112 / u -108 | Illinois State Redbirds +185 · Northern Iowa Panthers -225 |
Leaders
- PointsWill Hornseth13Northern Iowa Panthers
- AssistsTrey Campbell5Northern Iowa Panthers
- ReboundsWill Hornseth9Northern Iowa Panthers
- PointsBoden Skunberg14Illinois State Redbirds
- AssistsChase Walker5Illinois State Redbirds
- ReboundsBoden Skunberg8Illinois State Redbirds
Recent form
Northern Iowa Panthers
Last 10: 6-4Streak L171.6 scored · 63.6 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L57-59vs Southern Illinois SalukisFeb 21
- W81-60at Indiana State SycamoresFeb 19
- W86-62vs Drake BulldogsFeb 15
- L86-91at Belmont BruinsFeb 13
- W89-60at Murray State RacersFeb 10
- W61-49vs Bradley BravesFeb 7
- W71-55vs Evansville Purple AcesJan 31
- L50-65at Southern Illinois SalukisJan 29
- W81-76vs Murray State RacersJan 24
- L54-59at Illinois State RedbirdsJan 22
Illinois State Redbirds
Last 10: 5-5Streak L169.4 scored · 69.9 allowed per game1-4 away
- L60-74at Bradley BravesFeb 22
- W78-61vs Murray State RacersFeb 19
- L56-83at UIC FlamesFeb 15
- W86-64vs Valparaiso BeaconsFeb 13
- L80-88at Evansville Purple AcesFeb 10
- W86-76vs Drake BulldogsFeb 7
- L50-54vs Southern Illinois SalukisFeb 4
- W70-65at Murray State RacersJan 29
- L69-80at Belmont BruinsJan 24
- W59-54vs Northern Iowa PanthersJan 22
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 | Illinois State Redbirds | Northern Iowa Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-53 | 24-48 |
| Field goal % | 49 | 50 |
| Three-pointers | 10-27 | 9-16 |
| Three-point % | 37 | 56 |
| Free throws | 9-11 | 12-19 |
| Free throw % | 82 | 63 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 26 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 22 |
| Assists | 7 | 13 |
| Steals | 4 | 3 |
| Blocks | 1 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 17 |
| Fast-break points | 0 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 26 |
| Fouls | 20 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 8 |
| Lead changes | 16 | 16 |
| Time in front | 53 | 32 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half33-32Ben Schwieger makes 25-foot three point jumper (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half36-32Landon Wolf makes 25-foot three point jumper (Chase Walker assists)
- 2nd Half36-34Ben Schwieger makes layup
- 2nd Half36-36Will Hornseth makes layup (Ben Schwieger assists)
- 2nd Half36-38Trey Campbell makes layup
- 2nd Half36-39Trey Campbell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half38-39Boden Skunberg makes layup
- 2nd Half38-42Ben Schwieger makes 26-foot three point jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half38-44Tristan Smith makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half39-44Ty'Reek Coleman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half39-47RJ Taylor makes 28-foot three point jumper (Tristan Smith assists)
- 2nd Half41-47Ty'Reek Coleman makes layup
- 2nd Half41-48Will Hornseth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-48Jack Daugherty makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half46-48Chase Walker makes layup
- 2nd Half47-48Chase Walker makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half50-48Johnny Kinziger makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half50-50Leon Bond III makes layup
- 2nd Half50-51Leon Bond III makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half53-51Johnny Kinziger makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half53-53Will Hornseth makes 2-foot dunk (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half53-54Will Hornseth makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half56-54Boden Skunberg makes 25-foot three point jumper (Chase Walker assists)
- 2nd Half56-57Max Weisbrod makes 27-foot three point jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half58-57Landon Wolf makes layup
- 2nd Half58-58Will Hornseth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-61Ben Schwieger makes 24-foot three point jumper (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half60-61Chase Walker makes layup
- 2nd Half63-61Johnny Kinziger makes 25-foot three point jumper (Chase Walker assists)
- 2nd Half63-63Will Hornseth makes layup (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half65-63Boden Skunberg makes 16-foot jumper
- 2nd Half65-64Trey Campbell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-65Trey Campbell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-65Chase Walker makes layup
- 2nd Half68-65Chase Walker makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half68-66Leon Bond III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-67Leon Bond III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-69Will Hornseth makes layup
- 2nd Half70-69Johnny Kinziger makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half71-69Johnny Kinziger makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Northern Iowa Panthers, below favours Illinois State Redbirds.
Venue
- McLeod CenterCedar Falls, IA
- Attendance3907
- OfficialsBret Smith, Eric Curry, James Ford
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