NCAAB · Final

Northern Kentucky Defeats IU Indianapolis 81-72 in NCAAB Showdown

Thursday, January 1, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · Truist Arena

Northern Kentucky Norse 81, IU Indianapolis Jaguars 72, 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 IU Indianapolis Jaguars vs Northern Kentucky Norse?

Northern Kentucky Norse beat IU Indianapolis Jaguars 81-72 at Truist Arena on January 1, 2026.

Who was favored in IU Indianapolis Jaguars vs Northern Kentucky Norse?

Northern Kentucky Norse were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1350 (about 93% implied). The favorite won.

The Northern Kentucky Norse secured a solid victory over the IU Indianapolis Jaguars with a final score of 81-72 at Truist Arena. This matchup showcased the contrasting fortunes of both teams, with Northern Kentucky boasting a home record of 11-5, while IU Indianapolis struggled with an away record of just 4-12. The Norse have shown resilience in their recent form, winning seven of their last ten games, while the Jaguars have faced difficulties, managing only two wins in their last ten outings.

Northern Kentucky's recent performance has been marked by a scoring average of 82.3 points per game over their last ten, while allowing an average of 75.1 points. Their current streak stands at one win, following a close victory against Robert Morris Colonials on December 30, where they won 79-77. In their last five games, they have averaged 80.4 points scored and 74.6 points allowed, demonstrating a balanced offensive and defensive effort.

In contrast, IU Indianapolis has struggled significantly, with a record of 2-8 in their last ten games. They have averaged 83.9 points scored but have allowed a troubling 90.0 points per game during this stretch, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. Their current losing streak stands at two games, following a defeat against Cleveland State Vikings, where they lost 86-99 on December 30. In their last five games, the Jaguars have averaged 84.0 points scored and 85.2 points allowed, further highlighting their challenges on the court.

The matchup also had implications based on the teams' performance at home and away. Northern Kentucky has a strong home record of 5-2, while IU Indianapolis has struggled on the road with an away record of 0-6. This home-court advantage likely contributed to Northern Kentucky's confidence heading into the game.

Historically, Northern Kentucky has had the upper hand in their previous meetings against IU Indianapolis, winning both encounters in the current season. They first faced off on December 7, 2024, where Northern Kentucky triumphed 66-64, followed by a 71-67 victory on February 23, 2025. This consistent performance against the Jaguars has established a psychological edge for the Norse.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details affecting either team, but the absence of key players can often influence game outcomes in close contests. The market reflected Northern Kentucky's strong position, with DraftKings setting the odds at NKU -13.5, indicating a significant expectation of their dominance in this matchup. The total points line was set at 176.5, suggesting an anticipated high-scoring affair.

As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed key moments that defined the outcome. Notably, Kyler D'Augustino contributed crucial free throws in the second half, while Dan Gherezgher made impactful three-point shots that extended Northern Kentucky's lead. The final minutes saw Northern Kentucky maintain control, ultimately sealing the game with free throws that pushed their score to 81.

The conditions at Truist Arena were conducive to a competitive game, with both teams aiming to capitalize on their strengths. Northern Kentucky's ability to score efficiently, combined with their defensive strategies, proved decisive against an IU Indianapolis team that struggled to contain their offensive firepower.

Overall, the game highlighted the disparities between the two teams, with Northern Kentucky continuing to assert their dominance in the league while IU Indianapolis seeks to regroup and address their defensive weaknesses moving forward.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	NKU -13.5	176.5 o -108 / u -112	IU Indianapolis Jaguars +800 · Northern Kentucky Norse -1350

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsDonovan Oday18Northern Kentucky Norse
AssistsEthan Elliott7Northern Kentucky Norse
ReboundsLJ Wells9Northern Kentucky Norse
PointsKyler D'Augustino20IU Indianapolis Jaguars
AssistsFinley Woodward5IU Indianapolis Jaguars
ReboundsFinley Woodward6IU Indianapolis Jaguars

Recent form

Northern Kentucky Norse

Last 10: 7-3Streak W182.3 scored · 75.1 allowed per game5-2 at home

W79-77at Robert Morris ColonialsDec 30
L74-85vs Charleston CougarsDec 21
L77-82vs Oakland Golden GrizzliesDec 18
W80-76at Bellarmine KnightsDec 13
W92-53vs Brescia BearcatsDec 10
L77-79at Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsDec 6
W95-80vs Cleveland State VikingsDec 4
W74-65vs Boston University TerriersNov 29
W93-83vs Wofford TerriersNov 26
W82-71vs Eastern Kentucky ColonelsNov 25

IU Indianapolis Jaguars

Last 10: 2-8Streak L283.9 scored · 90 allowed per game0-6 away

L86-99at Cleveland State VikingsDec 30
L78-91at Grand Canyon LopesDec 23
W126-73vs Miami (OH) Middletown ThunderHawksDec 16
L75-85vs Green Bay PhoenixDec 11
L55-78vs Youngstown State PenguinsDec 6
L78-92at Detroit Mercy TitansDec 4
W85-80vs Morehead State EaglesNov 29
L85-98at Air Force FalconsNov 23
L80-101at Alabama State HornetsNov 21
L91-103at Charleston Southern BuccaneersNov 19

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
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	IU Indianapolis Jaguars	Northern Kentucky Norse
Field goals	28-64	27-55
Field goal %	44	49
Three-pointers	10-31	12-25
Three-point %	32	48
Free throws	6-6	15-25
Free throw %	100	60
Rebounds	34	29
Offensive rebounds	10	9
Defensive rebounds	24	20
Assists	13	14
Steals	8	9
Blocks	2	0
Turnovers	15	11
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	1	0
Points off turnovers	13	22
Fast-break points	7	12
Points in the paint	30	30
Fouls	20	9
Largest lead	12	10
Lead changes	10	10
Time in front	64	25

How the scoring went

2nd Half39-41Kael Robinson makes layup (Tae Dozier assists)
2nd Half41-41Maguire Mitchell makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half41-44Dan Gherezgher makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tae Dozier assists)
2nd Half44-44Maguire Mitchell makes 24-foot three point jumper (Finley Woodward assists)
2nd Half47-44Kyler D'Augustino makes 23-foot three point jumper
2nd Half47-47Shawn Nelson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ethan Elliott assists)
2nd Half49-47Kyler D'Augustino makes layup (Finley Woodward assists)
2nd Half52-47Micah Davis makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kyler D'Augustino assists)
2nd Half54-47Maguire Mitchell makes driving layup
2nd Half54-49LJ Wells makes layup (Tae Dozier assists)
2nd Half57-49Aiden Miller makes 23-foot three point jumper (Finley Woodward assists)
2nd Half59-49Matt Compas makes 3-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half59-50LJ Wells makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-51Tae Dozier makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-52Tae Dozier makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-55Donovan Oday makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ethan Elliott assists)
2nd Half59-58Donovan Oday makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ethan Elliott assists)
2nd Half59-60Donovan Rakotonanahary makes 2-foot dunk
2nd Half59-61Donovan Rakotonanahary makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-63Kael Robinson makes driving layup
2nd Half61-63Finley Woodward makes layup
2nd Half61-65Kael Robinson makes layup
2nd Half63-65Jaxon Edwards makes layup
2nd Half63-67Donovan Oday makes driving layup
2nd Half63-68Donovan Oday makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half65-68Kyler D'Augustino makes 10-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half65-70Donovan Oday makes driving layup
2nd Half65-71Donovan Oday makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half65-72LJ Wells makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-73LJ Wells makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-73Jaxon Edwards makes layup
2nd Half68-73Jaxon Edwards makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half69-73Kyler D'Augustino makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-73Kyler D'Augustino makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-76Dan Gherezgher makes 23-foot three point jumper (LJ Wells assists)
2nd Half70-79Dan Gherezgher makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ethan Elliott assists)
2nd Half70-80Ethan Elliott makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-80Kyler D'Augustino makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-80Kyler D'Augustino makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-81LJ Wells makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours Northern Kentucky Norse, below favours IU Indianapolis Jaguars.