Northern Iowa Edges UIC in Close Contest
Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 5:00 PM ET · Credit Union 1 Arena
Northern Iowa Panthers 60, UIC Flames 54, 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 Northern Iowa Panthers vs UIC Flames?
Northern Iowa Panthers beat UIC Flames 60-54 at Credit Union 1 Arena on December 17, 2025.
Who was favored in Northern Iowa Panthers vs UIC Flames?
Northern Iowa Panthers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -245 (about 71% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Northern Iowa Panthers secured a narrow 60-54 victory over the UIC Flames at the Credit Union 1 Arena on December 17, 2025. This game was particularly significant for Northern Iowa, as they improved their impressive away record to 3-1, while UIC continued to struggle at home, falling to 4-8 overall.
Northern Iowa entered the game with a strong away record of 9-2 and had been on a solid run, winning eight of their last ten games, including a recent victory against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies. The Panthers had averaged 73.6 points per game while allowing only 58.0 points during this stretch, showcasing their defensive prowess. On the other hand, UIC had been experiencing difficulties, losing four consecutive games leading into this matchup. Their recent form included an average of 74.0 points scored but a concerning 78.2 points allowed in their last five games.
The game unfolded with both teams exchanging leads, but Northern Iowa's ability to execute in the second half ultimately made the difference. Key moments included a series of free throws and jump shots from Trey Campbell and Rashund Washington Jr., which helped the Panthers pull ahead late in the game. UIC's Andy Johnson attempted to keep his team in contention with a driving layup, but it was not enough to overcome the late-game surge from Northern Iowa.
Historically, this matchup had favored Northern Iowa, who now leads the head-to-head series 3-0 against UIC, including two wins earlier in the season. The Flames had struggled in their previous meetings, losing 52-74 and 56-83 in the 2025 season, which added to the pressure on them to perform at home.
In terms of injuries, the block did not indicate any significant absences impacting either team for this game. However, both teams were looking to solidify their standings as the season progressed, making every game crucial.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Northern Iowa favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 133.5. This reflected the expectations for a competitive game, but the final score fell below the total, indicating a defensive battle rather than a high-scoring affair.
Conditions in the arena were typical for a December evening, with a lively crowd supporting UIC, but it was the Panthers who managed to maintain their composure and execute their game plan effectively. Viewers were treated to a display of strategic basketball, with Northern Iowa's defense proving to be the deciding factor in their victory.
Overall, this game highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, with Northern Iowa continuing their strong season and UIC searching for answers as they navigate through a challenging stretch.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UNI -5.5 | 133.5 o -112 / u -108 | Northern Iowa Panthers -245 · UIC Flames +200 |
Leaders
- PointsRashund Washington Jr.11UIC Flames
- AssistsAhmad Henderson II7UIC Flames
- ReboundsMekhi Lowery9UIC Flames
- PointsWill Hornseth15Northern Iowa Panthers
- AssistsLeon Bond III4Northern Iowa Panthers
- ReboundsLeon Bond III11Northern Iowa Panthers
Recent form
UIC Flames
Last 10: 4-6Streak L477.9 scored · 74.6 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L84-87at Belmont BruinsDec 13
- L66-80at Yale BulldogsDec 7
- L62-63vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden LionsDec 3
- L74-88at Robert Morris ColonialsNov 26
- W84-73vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesNov 22
- L80-90vs High Point PanthersNov 20
- W67-63at Chicago State CougarsNov 15
- W98-55vs St. Francis (IL) Fighting SaintsNov 12
- L73-76at Oregon State BeaversNov 8
- W91-71vs Detroit Mercy TitansNov 4
Northern Iowa Panthers
Last 10: 8-2Streak W173.6 scored · 58 allowed per game2-1 away
- W75-63vs Oakland Golden GrizzliesDec 13
- L69-74vs Wichita State ShockersDec 7
- W99-34vs Coe KohawksDec 2
- L60-63at Tulsa Golden HurricaneNov 26
- W72-51at Loyola Chicago RamblersNov 25
- W70-69at UC Irvine AnteatersNov 23
- W70-57vs Northern Illinois HuskiesNov 19
- W70-54vs Furman PaladinsNov 15
- W65-58vs South Dakota State JackrabbitsNov 9
- W86-57vs Cal State Northridge MatadorsNov 7
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 | Northern Iowa Panthers | UIC Flames |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 21-48 | 22-60 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 37 |
| Three-pointers | 9-23 | 3-19 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 16 |
| Free throws | 9-11 | 7-11 |
| Free throw % | 82 | 64 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 20 |
| Assists | 15 | 14 |
| Steals | 6 | 14 |
| Blocks | 8 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 16 | 36 |
| Fouls | 12 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 6 |
| Lead changes | 10 | 10 |
| Time in front | 58 | 36 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half21-17Trey Campbell makes 25-foot three point jumper (Leon Bond III assists)
- 1st Half23-17Trey Campbell makes 17-foot step back jumpshot
- 1st Half23-19Abdul Momoh makes layup
- 1st Half23-21Mekhi Lowery makes layup (Ahmad Henderson II assists)
- 1st Half23-23Rashund Washington Jr. makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Ahmad Henderson II assists)
- 1st Half23-25Ahmad Henderson II makes 20-foot pullup jump shot
- 1st Half23-27Rashund Washington Jr. makes layup (Ahmad Henderson II assists)
- 2nd Half25-27Will Hornseth makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half28-27Will Hornseth makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half28-30Rashund Washington Jr. makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot (Mekhi Lowery assists)
- 2nd Half28-31Rashund Washington Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half28-32Rashund Washington Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half30-32Will Hornseth makes 1-foot dunk (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half30-34Ahmad Henderson II makes driving layup
- 2nd Half30-36Mekhi Lowery makes layup (Ahmad Henderson II assists)
- 2nd Half33-36Leon Bond III makes 24-foot three point jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half33-38Abdul Momoh makes layup
- 2nd Half34-38Ben Schwieger makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half35-38Ben Schwieger makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half37-38Geon Hutchins makes layup
- 2nd Half37-40Jayce Nathaniel makes 7-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half40-40Ismael Diouf makes 25-foot three point jumper (Geon Hutchins assists)
- 2nd Half40-43Andy Johnson makes 27-foot three point jumper (Jayce Nathaniel assists)
- 2nd Half42-43Ben Schwieger makes driving layup (Leon Bond III assists)
- 2nd Half42-44Jayce Nathaniel makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-44Ben Schwieger makes 23-foot three point jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
- 2nd Half45-46Jayce Nathaniel makes layup (Andy Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half47-46Will Hornseth makes driving layup (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half47-48Mekhi Lowery makes layup (Andy Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half49-48Will Hornseth makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Ben Schwieger assists)
- 2nd Half49-50Abdul Momoh makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-50Trey Campbell makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tristan Smith assists)
- 2nd Half52-51Rashund Washington Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-52Rashund Washington Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-52Trey Campbell makes 10-foot pullup jump shot (Ben Schwieger assists)
- 2nd Half56-52Leon Bond III makes 15-foot pullup jump shot (Trey Campbell assists)
- 2nd Half56-54Andy Johnson makes driving layup (Ahmad Henderson II assists)
- 2nd Half58-54Will Hornseth makes layup
- 2nd Half59-54Trey Campbell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-54Trey Campbell makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours UIC Flames, below favours Northern Iowa Panthers.
Venue
- Credit Union 1 ArenaChicago, IL
- OfficialsRick Crawford, Tyler Kumpf, Tommy Johnson
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Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Northern Iowa Panthers Defeat UIC Flames 84-69Mar 8, 2026
- UIC Flames Defeat Northern Iowa Panthers 69-61Jan 13, 2026