NCAAB · Final

North Dakota Tops Western Illinois in Close Contest

Sunday, November 23, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Western Hall

North Dakota Fighting Hawks 78, Western Illinois Leathernecks 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 North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs Western Illinois Leathernecks?

North Dakota Fighting Hawks beat Western Illinois Leathernecks 78-69 at Western Hall on November 23, 2025.

In a competitive matchup at Western Hall, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks emerged victorious against the Western Illinois Leathernecks with a final score of 78-69. This game showcased the ongoing struggles of both teams, with Western Illinois holding a home record of 1-6 and North Dakota at 3-5 on the road this season.

The Leathernecks entered the game having lost their last match against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, where they fell 64-84. Their recent form has not been encouraging, as they have a record of 3-7 over their last ten games, with an average of 68.3 points scored and 75.9 points allowed. In their last five games, they averaged only 62.6 points while allowing 73.4, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities.

On the other hand, the Fighting Hawks faced a similar fate in their previous outing, losing to the Chanticleers 58-75. Their overall record in the last ten games stands at 3-7, with an average of 77.2 points scored and 78.6 points allowed. North Dakota's recent performance has been slightly better, as they averaged 81.4 points in their last five games while allowing 75.0 points.

The game unfolded with North Dakota establishing a lead that they maintained throughout. Key moments in the second half included Garrett Anderson making several crucial free throws, contributing to the Hawks' scoring and helping to seal their victory. Lucas Lorenzen also made significant contributions with layups that kept the pressure on the Leathernecks.

Historically, both teams have faced each other multiple times, with this matchup adding to their competitive history. The Fighting Hawks have had a slight edge in past encounters, and this game further solidified their current form against Western Illinois.

In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any players missing from either team, indicating that both squads were likely at full strength for this encounter. This factor can often play a significant role in the outcome of games, especially in tightly contested matchups like this one.

The betting market had priced the game with a low probability of a home win for Western Illinois, with the home win probability final listed at 0.001. This indicates that the odds heavily favored North Dakota going into the game, reflecting their slightly better form and overall performance this season.

Conditions in the arena were typical for a late November game, with a solid turnout from fans supporting both teams. The atmosphere was charged, as both teams fought hard for every point, making for an engaging contest.

As the game concluded, viewers were able to witness the tactical adjustments made by both coaches, with North Dakota's ability to capitalize on free throws proving decisive. The Fighting Hawks' strategy of attacking the basket and drawing fouls paid off, particularly in the closing moments of the game.

Overall, this matchup was significant not only for the standings but also for the morale of both teams as they look to improve their records as the season progresses. The Leathernecks will need to reassess their defensive strategies moving forward, while North Dakota will aim to build on this victory as they seek consistency in their performance.

Leaders

PointsLucas Lorenzen18Western Illinois Leathernecks
AssistsMakai Kvamme4Western Illinois Leathernecks
ReboundsFrancis Okwuosah7Western Illinois Leathernecks
PointsGarrett Anderson21North Dakota Fighting Hawks
AssistsGreyson Uelmen4North Dakota Fighting Hawks
ReboundsMarley Curtis6North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Recent form

Western Illinois Leathernecks

Last 10: 3-7Streak L168.3 scored · 75.9 allowed per game2-1 at home

L64-84vs Coastal Carolina ChanticleersNov 22
W74-63vs Coe KohawksNov 18
L59-69at California Baptist LancersNov 15
L58-74at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersNov 12
L58-77at Iowa HawkeyesNov 8
L75-80at Radford HighlandersNov 4
W82-69at Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesFeb 28
W86-81vs Lindenwood LionsFeb 26
L61-75at Little Rock TrojansFeb 22
L66-87at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksFeb 21

North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Last 10: 3-7Streak L277.2 scored · 78.6 allowed per game2-4 away

L58-75vs Coastal Carolina ChanticleersNov 23
L60-75at Creighton BluejaysNov 20
W76-74at UC Riverside HighlandersNov 15
W128-58vs Mayville State CometsNov 12
L85-93vs Cal State Northridge MatadorsNov 9
L70-74vs UC Riverside HighlandersNov 7
L62-91at Alabama Crimson TideNov 4
L69-85at St. Thomas TommiesMar 9
W85-69at South Dakota State JackrabbitsMar 8
L79-92at South Dakota CoyotesMar 1

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
North Dakota State	27-8	-	14-2
St. Thomas	24-10	2	12-4
North Dakota	18-17	4	10-6
South Dakota	16-16	6	8-8
Omaha	16-17	6	8-8
Denver	15-17	7	8-8
South Dakota State	14-18	7	7-9
Oral Roberts	10-23	10	4-12
Kansas City	4-27	13	1-15
Tennessee State	23-10	-	15-5
Morehead State	20-13	-	15-5
Southeast Missouri State	20-13	1	14-6
UT Martin	22-11	2	13-7
SIU Edwardsville	19-13	3	12-8
Lindenwood	18-15	4	11-9
Little Rock	12-20	6	9-11
Tennessee Tech	13-18	6	8-12
Eastern Illinois	13-20	7	8-12
Southern Indiana	7-23	11	4-16
Western Illinois	5-26	14	1-19

Box score

Stat	North Dakota Fighting Hawks	Western Illinois Leathernecks
Field goals	27-55	24-53
Field goal %	49	45
Three-pointers	7-16	10-21
Three-point %	44	48
Free throws	17-20	11-21
Free throw %	85	52
Rebounds	29	31
Offensive rebounds	3	8
Defensive rebounds	26	23
Assists	9	10
Steals	10	7
Blocks	2	1
Turnovers	13	17
Team turnovers	1	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	16	8
Fast-break points	15	7
Points in the paint	40	28
Fouls	17	19
Largest lead	11	13
Lead changes	2	2
Time in front	47	51

How the scoring went

2nd Half43-39Garrett Anderson made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Eli King.
2nd Half45-39Marley Curtis made Layup.
2nd Half45-42Lucas Lorenzen made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Isaiah Griffin.
2nd Half48-42Garrett Anderson made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Greyson Uelmen.
2nd Half48-44Karyiek Dixon made Layup.
2nd Half48-46Makai Kvamme made Layup.
2nd Half48-47Isaiah Griffin made Free Throw.
2nd Half50-47Eli King made Layup.
2nd Half52-47Eli King made Jumper.
2nd Half52-50Isaiah Griffin made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Lucas Lorenzen.
2nd Half54-50Josh Jones made Layup.
2nd Half54-51Lucas Lorenzen made Free Throw.
2nd Half54-52Lucas Lorenzen made Free Throw.
2nd Half55-52Marley Curtis made Free Throw.
2nd Half55-53Goanar Biliew made Free Throw.
2nd Half57-53Marley Curtis made Layup.
2nd Half60-53Eli King made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Greyson Uelmen.
2nd Half63-53Garrett Anderson made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Greyson Uelmen.
2nd Half63-55Makai Kvamme made Jumper.
2nd Half63-58Isaiah Griffin made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Makai Kvamme.
2nd Half64-58Greyson Uelmen made Free Throw.
2nd Half65-58Greyson Uelmen made Free Throw.
2nd Half66-58Marley Curtis made Free Throw.
2nd Half67-58Eli King made Free Throw.
2nd Half68-58Greyson Uelmen made Free Throw.
2nd Half69-58Greyson Uelmen made Free Throw.
2nd Half69-61Francis Okwuosah made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Lucas Lorenzen.
2nd Half70-61Greyson Uelmen made Free Throw.
2nd Half70-63Francis Okwuosah made Layup.
2nd Half72-63Greyson Uelmen made Layup.
2nd Half72-64Goanar Biliew made Free Throw.
2nd Half73-64Garrett Anderson made Free Throw.
2nd Half74-64Garrett Anderson made Free Throw.
2nd Half74-66Lucas Lorenzen made Layup.
2nd Half76-66Garrett Anderson made Free Throw.
2nd Half75-66Garrett Anderson made Free Throw.
2nd Half76-67Makai Kvamme made Free Throw.
2nd Half77-67Garrett Anderson made Free Throw.
2nd Half78-67Garrett Anderson made Free Throw.
2nd Half78-69Lucas Lorenzen made Layup.

Win probability

Above the line favours Western Illinois Leathernecks, below favours North Dakota Fighting Hawks.