Huskies Edge Demons in Thrilling Finish
Monday, January 19, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Sharp Gymnasium
Houston Christian Huskies 82, Northwestern State Demons 80, 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 Northwestern State Demons vs Houston Christian Huskies?
Houston Christian Huskies beat Northwestern State Demons 82-80 at Sharp Gymnasium on January 19, 2026.
Who was favored in Northwestern State Demons vs Houston Christian Huskies?
Houston Christian Huskies were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -155 (about 61% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Houston Christian Huskies triumphed over the Northwestern State Demons with a final score of 82-80. This game was played at Sharp Gymnasium on January 20, 2026, and showcased the intensity and competitiveness of both teams. The Huskies improved their record to 8-12, while the Demons fell to 6-14 after this nail-biting encounter.
The fixture was particularly significant as it marked a chance for the Huskies to break a two-game losing streak against the Demons, having lost both previous meetings in the 2025 season. In their last encounter on March 1, 2025, the Huskies were defeated 56-61, and earlier that season, they lost 57-64 at home on December 7, 2024. This win not only provided a much-needed boost for the Huskies but also highlighted their resilience in overcoming past defeats.
In terms of recent form, the Huskies had struggled leading up to this game, holding a record of 2-8 in their last ten games. Their scoring average during this stretch was 67.4 points per game, while they allowed an average of 76.9 points. Their last game before facing the Demons was a victory against the East Texas A&M Lions, where they won 81-70. This win snapped a series of losses, giving them a much-needed morale boost.
On the other hand, the Demons had a more balanced recent performance, going 5-5 in their last ten games with an average of 74.2 points scored and 71.1 points allowed. However, they were coming off a loss to the Incarnate Word Cardinals, where they fell short with a score of 74-76. The Demons had shown flashes of offensive capability, particularly with their recent 108-55 victory over the Southern New Orleans Knights, but inconsistency had plagued their season.
At home, the Huskies had a record of 1-3 in their last four games, while the Demons had performed slightly better away, with a record of 1-3 in their last four road games. The home advantage for the Huskies played a role in their victory, as they managed to leverage their familiar surroundings to edge out the Demons in a tightly contested game.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player availability for either team, which could have influenced the dynamics of the game. However, both teams have had their share of challenges throughout the season, making every player's contribution crucial.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Huskies favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 139.5. The moneyline reflected the Huskies at -155 and the Demons at +130, indicating a slight edge for the home team. These odds suggested that the game was expected to be competitive, and it certainly lived up to that expectation.
As for the conditions during the game, the block did not specify any particular weather or venue-related factors that might have affected play. However, the atmosphere in Sharp Gymnasium was likely charged, given the stakes of the game and the rivalry between the two teams.
Viewers were treated to a thrilling finish, with key scoring plays in the second half that kept the game tightly contested. Notable moments included Willie Williams making a layup assisted by Justin Redmond, and Trent Johnson sinking a 27-foot three-point jumper, which brought the Demons close at 78-75. As the game progressed, Kylin Green's free throws and driving layup were pivotal in securing the Huskies' victory, showcasing the clutch performances that are often the hallmark of close games.
In conclusion, the Houston Christian Huskies' victory over the Northwestern State Demons was not just a win on the scoreboard but also a significant step forward for a team looking to build momentum after a challenging season. The game highlighted the competitive nature of college basketball, where every point counts and the outcome can swing dramatically in the final moments.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HCU -2.5 | 139.5 o -110 / u -110 | Northwestern State Demons +130 · Houston Christian Huskies -155 |
Leaders
- PointsDemari Williams16Houston Christian Huskies
- AssistsKylin Green10Houston Christian Huskies
- ReboundsD'Aundre Samuels7Houston Christian Huskies
- PointsMicah Thomas17Northwestern State Demons
- AssistsMicah Thomas4Northwestern State Demons
- ReboundsWillie Williams3Northwestern State Demons
Recent form
Houston Christian Huskies
Last 10: 2-8Streak W167.4 scored · 76.9 allowed per game1-3 at home
- W81-70vs East Texas A&M LionsJan 17
- L56-64at Lamar CardinalsJan 13
- L67-85at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksJan 10
- L65-81vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersJan 6
- L56-73at Incarnate Word CardinalsJan 3
- L61-89at Iowa State CyclonesDec 30
- L64-79at Nicholls ColonelsDec 18
- L68-78vs McNeese CowboysDec 16
- L71-74vs SE Louisiana LionsDec 13
- W85-76at LSU New Orleans PrivateersDec 6
Northwestern State Demons
Last 10: 5-5Streak L174.2 scored · 71.1 allowed per game1-3 away
- L74-76at Incarnate Word CardinalsJan 17
- W64-63vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosJan 13
- W79-78vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersJan 10
- L72-74at Nicholls ColonelsJan 6
- W74-68vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersJan 3
- L64-74vs Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksDec 31
- L61-76vs Lamar CardinalsDec 30
- W108-55vs Southern New Orleans KnightsDec 20
- L70-79at California Golden BearsDec 13
- W76-68at SE Louisiana LionsDec 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen F. Austin | 28-6 | - | 20-2 |
| McNeese | 28-6 | 1 | 19-3 |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | 19-14 | 6 | 14-8 |
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 18-15 | 7 | 13-9 |
| LSU New Orleans | 15-18 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Nicholls | 14-19 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Houston Christian | 12-20 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Northwestern State | 10-22 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Incarnate Word | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| Lamar | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| East Texas A&M | 11-21 | 14 | 6-16 |
| SE Louisiana | 9-22 | 14 | 6-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Northwestern State Demons | Houston Christian Huskies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-48 | 27-45 |
| Field goal % | 56 | 60 |
| Three-pointers | 7-19 | 12-20 |
| Three-point % | 37 | 60 |
| Free throws | 19-24 | 16-22 |
| Free throw % | 79 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 22 | 23 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 11 | 12 |
| Assists | 16 | 19 |
| Steals | 5 | 3 |
| Blocks | 2 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 24 |
| Fouls | 15 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 2 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 91 | 4 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half51-47Micah Thomas makes layup
- 2nd Half52-47Micah Thomas makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half52-48Kylin Green makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-50Mambourou Mara makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half54-50Justin Redmond makes layup
- 2nd Half56-50Justin Redmond makes 22-foot jumper
- 2nd Half56-52Ryan Bartley makes 13-foot jumper (D'Aundre Samuels assists)
- 2nd Half56-54Ryan Bartley makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-54Chris Mubiru makes 23-foot three point jumper (Willie Williams assists)
- 2nd Half61-54Micah Thomas makes 21-foot jumper
- 2nd Half62-54Micah Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-54Micah Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-55Demarco Bethea makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-55Kordrick Turner makes layup (Chris Mubiru assists)
- 2nd Half65-56Kylin Green makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-57Kylin Green makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-57Chris Mubiru makes layup (CJ Larry assists)
- 2nd Half67-58Demarco Bethea makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-59Demarco Bethea makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-62Trent Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Demari Williams assists)
- 2nd Half69-62Chris Mubiru makes 1-foot dunk (Izzy Miles assists)
- 2nd Half69-65Trent Johnson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ryan Bartley assists)
- 2nd Half69-66Demari Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-67Demari Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-67Willie Williams makes layup (Micah Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half71-70Ryan Bartley makes 23-foot three point jumper (D'Aundre Samuels assists)
- 2nd Half71-71D'Aundre Samuels makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-72D'Aundre Samuels makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-72Micah Thomas makes 16-foot step back jumpshot (Justin Redmond assists)
- 2nd Half74-72Landyn Jumawan makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half75-72Landyn Jumawan makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half76-72Landyn Jumawan makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half78-72Willie Williams makes layup (Justin Redmond assists)
- 2nd Half78-75Trent Johnson makes 27-foot three point jumper (Kylin Green assists)
- 2nd Half79-75Willie Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half79-78D'Aundre Samuels makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kylin Green assists)
- 2nd Half79-79Kylin Green makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-80Kylin Green makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-80Micah Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-82Kylin Green makes driving layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Houston Christian Huskies, below favours Northwestern State Demons.
Venue
- Sharp GymnasiumHouston, TX
- Attendance985
- OfficialsTrent Dews, Michael Wallace, Eric Kronebusch
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond