NCAAB · Final

Northern Iowa Tops Murray State in Close Contest

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · McLeod Center

Northern Iowa Panthers 81, Murray State Racers 76, 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 Murray State Racers vs Northern Iowa Panthers?

Northern Iowa Panthers beat Murray State Racers 81-76 at McLeod Center on January 24, 2026.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Northern Iowa Panthers emerged victorious over the Murray State Racers with a final score of 81-76 at the McLeod Center. This game was particularly significant as it showcased the Panthers breaking a five-game losing streak, while the Racers were looking to maintain their strong season performance. Northern Iowa's win improves their record to 14-8, while Murray State falls to 16-6.

The Panthers have struggled in their recent outings, holding a record of 4-6 over their last ten games, with an average of 60.6 points scored and 61.4 points allowed per game. Their last five games were particularly challenging, as they were unable to secure a win, averaging just 58.6 points and allowing 67.0 points during that stretch. In contrast, the Racers had been in solid form, boasting a record of 9-1 in their last ten games, with an impressive scoring average of 87.8 points, although they allowed an average of 80.5 points as well. Their recent performance included a high-scoring loss to the Drake Bulldogs, where they fell 90-101.

When considering home and away performances, Northern Iowa had a mixed record of 2-2 at home in their last ten games, while they struggled more on the road with a 2-4 record. Murray State, on the other hand, was strong at home with a perfect 5-0 record and a solid 4-1 mark in away games.

Historically, the teams had met three times in the previous season, with the record standing at 1-1-1 in favor of the home team. Their last encounter prior to this game was on February 18, 2025, where Murray State won 74-67. This matchup added another chapter to their competitive history.

In terms of injuries, there were no specific details provided in the block about player absences, which could have influenced the game dynamics. The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Murray State favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 145.5. The odds for the spread were -108 for the over and -112 for the under, with both teams listed at -110 for the moneyline.

Conditions during the game were not detailed, but the atmosphere at the McLeod Center was likely charged, given the significance of the matchup for both teams. Fans witnessed a back-and-forth battle, with Northern Iowa ultimately pulling ahead in the closing moments. Key scoring plays included free throws from Max Weisbrod and Leon Bond III, which helped secure the Panthers' lead late in the game.

Viewers were treated to a display of resilience from Northern Iowa, who managed to fend off Murray State's attempts to close the gap. The final moments saw crucial layups from Javon Jackson for the Racers, but it was not enough to overcome the Panthers' lead. The victory for Northern Iowa not only boosts their morale but also adds a critical win to their season as they look to build on this momentum moving forward.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	MUR -1.5	145.5 o -108 / u -112	Murray State Racers -110 · Northern Iowa Panthers -110

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

Leaders

PointsTrey Campbell27Northern Iowa Panthers
AssistsTrey Campbell5Northern Iowa Panthers
ReboundsLeon Bond III6Northern Iowa Panthers
PointsRoman Domon29Murray State Racers
AssistsJavon Jackson4Murray State Racers
ReboundsFred King11Murray State Racers

Recent form

Northern Iowa Panthers

Last 10: 4-6Streak L560.6 scored · 61.4 allowed per game2-2 at home

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
W58-48vs Valparaiso BeaconsDec 30
L58-63at Saint Mary's GaelsDec 23
W60-54at UIC FlamesDec 17

Murray State Racers

Last 10: 9-1Streak L187.8 scored · 80.5 allowed per game4-1 away

L90-101at Drake BulldogsJan 22
W85-81vs Indiana State SycamoresJan 17
W92-79vs Valparaiso BeaconsJan 10
W79-69at Evansville Purple AcesJan 8
W86-66vs Bradley BravesJan 4
W81-77at UIC FlamesJan 2
W84-81vs Southern Illinois SalukisDec 30
W85-79at Valparaiso BeaconsDec 21
W81-72vs Drake BulldogsDec 19
W115-100at Akron ZipsDec 13

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	Murray State Racers	Northern Iowa Panthers
Field goals	26-62	31-54
Field goal %	42	57
Three-pointers	7-26	7-15
Three-point %	27	47
Free throws	17-20	12-21
Free throw %	85	57
Rebounds	35	31
Offensive rebounds	14	6
Defensive rebounds	21	25
Assists	9	14
Steals	5	5
Blocks	3	2
Turnovers	9	8
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	1
Technical fouls, total	0	1
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	14
Fast-break points	0	6
Points in the paint	36	46
Fouls	19	16
Largest lead	4	12
Lead changes	7	7
Time in front	17	68

How the scoring went

2nd Half45-43Fred King makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-45Ben Schwieger makes layup
2nd Half48-45Javon Jackson makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half48-46Will Hornseth makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half50-46JJ Traynor makes 5-foot dunk (Javon Jackson assists)
2nd Half50-47Leon Bond III makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-50Trey Campbell makes 25-foot three point jumper (Leon Bond III assists)
2nd Half50-52Leon Bond III makes 6-foot alley oop dunk (Trey Campbell assists)
2nd Half50-54Ismael Diouf makes 4-foot alley oop dunk (Trey Campbell assists)
2nd Half52-54Fred King makes layup (KJ Tenner assists)
2nd Half52-56Leon Bond III makes 15-foot jumper
2nd Half52-58Leon Bond III makes layup
2nd Half54-58Roman Domon makes 8-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half54-60Trey Campbell makes 11-foot jumper
2nd Half55-60Roman Domon makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-60Roman Domon makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-63Max Weisbrod makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ismael Diouf assists)
2nd Half56-65Ismael Diouf makes 4-foot dunk (Trey Campbell assists)
2nd Half58-65Fred King makes layup
2nd Half60-65Javon Jackson makes layup
2nd Half60-67Trey Campbell makes 6-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half62-67Fred King makes layup (Layne Taylor assists)
2nd Half62-69Trey Campbell makes layup
2nd Half64-69Layne Taylor makes layup
2nd Half67-69Layne Taylor makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half67-72Max Weisbrod makes 27-foot three point jumper (Leon Bond III assists)
2nd Half68-72Roman Domon makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-75Trey Campbell makes 26-foot three point jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
2nd Half69-75Roman Domon makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-75Roman Domon makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-76Trey Campbell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-77Trey Campbell makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half71-77Roman Domon makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-77Roman Domon makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half74-77Javon Jackson makes layup
2nd Half74-78Max Weisbrod makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half74-79Max Weisbrod makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half74-80Max Weisbrod makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half74-81Leon Bond III makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half76-81Javon Jackson makes layup

Win probability

Above the line favours Northern Iowa Panthers, below favours Murray State Racers.