Ohio Bobcats Defeat Northern Illinois Huskies 74-66
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · NIU Convocation Center
Ohio Bobcats 74, Northern Illinois Huskies 66, 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 Ohio Bobcats vs Northern Illinois Huskies?
Ohio Bobcats beat Northern Illinois Huskies 74-66 at NIU Convocation Center on February 21, 2026.
Who was favored in Ohio Bobcats vs Northern Illinois Huskies?
Ohio Bobcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -258 (about 72% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup at the NIU Convocation Center, the Ohio Bobcats emerged victorious over the Northern Illinois Huskies with a final score of 74-66. This win brings Ohio's record to 15-13 for the season, while Northern Illinois falls to 9-17. The game showcased the Bobcats' ability to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, particularly in the second half, where they extended their lead and maintained control until the final buzzer.
The Bobcats entered the game with a mixed recent form, holding a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, but they had just secured a win against the Ball State Cardinals prior to this matchup. In their last five games, Ohio averaged 80.2 points scored while allowing 75.8 points. Their away record of 1-5 in this stretch highlighted some struggles on the road, but the team managed to find their rhythm against Northern Illinois, a team they had previously defeated earlier in the season.
Conversely, the Huskies also had a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, with a recent win against the Buffalo Bulls. Northern Illinois averaged 61.2 points scored and allowed 77.0 points in their last five games. Their home record stood at 2-1, indicating a slight advantage when playing in front of their fans, but they could not leverage this against Ohio.
Historically, the Bobcats have had the upper hand in their recent meetings with the Huskies, winning both encounters this season. Their previous matchup on January 21, 2026, ended in an 80-77 victory for Ohio, while a game earlier in the 2025 season saw the Bobcats dominate with a score of 108-70. This trend continued in the latest contest, as Ohio managed to outpace Northern Illinois once again.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player availability, but both teams were expected to field their usual lineups. The absence of key players can significantly impact team performance, but in this instance, both sides appeared to have their core players ready for action.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Ohio favored by 6.5 points, with a total set at 148.5. The odds reflected a belief in Ohio's capability to secure a win, which they ultimately did. The spread and total indicate that the game was anticipated to be competitive, and the final score aligns with that expectation.
Conditions during the game were typical for a late February evening, with no significant weather factors affecting play inside the arena. Fans witnessed a spirited performance from both teams, but Ohio's ability to execute in crucial moments proved decisive.
As the game progressed, notable scoring plays included Jackson Paveletzke's contributions, where he made critical free throws and a jumper that helped extend the Bobcats' lead. Makhai Valentine also made significant contributions for Northern Illinois, but it was not enough to close the gap. The final moments of the game saw Ohio maintain their lead, effectively managing the clock and securing the victory.
Overall, the matchup between the Ohio Bobcats and Northern Illinois Huskies was a testament to Ohio's resilience and tactical execution, particularly in the second half of the game. The victory not only solidifies Ohio's standing in the league but also adds to the ongoing rivalry between these two teams.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | OHIO -6.5 | 148.5 o -112 / u -108 | Ohio Bobcats -258 · Northern Illinois Huskies +210 |
Leaders
- PointsMakhai Valentine15Northern Illinois Huskies
- AssistsDylan Ducommun6Northern Illinois Huskies
- ReboundsTaj Walters8Northern Illinois Huskies
- PointsJavan Simmons23Ohio Bobcats
- AssistsJackson Paveletzke6Ohio Bobcats
- ReboundsAidan Hadaway11Ohio Bobcats
Recent form
Northern Illinois Huskies
Last 10: 4-6Streak W165 scored · 73.3 allowed per game2-1 at home
- W72-70at Buffalo BullsFeb 17
- L46-88at Central Michigan ChippewasFeb 14
- L52-68vs Bowling Green FalconsFeb 12
- W75-74at Georgia State PanthersFeb 7
- L61-85at Miami (OH) RedHawksJan 31
- W85-65vs Western Michigan BroncosJan 28
- L53-58at Ball State CardinalsJan 24
- L77-80at Ohio BobcatsJan 21
- W70-68vs Massachusetts MinutemenJan 17
- L59-77at Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 13
Ohio Bobcats
Last 10: 4-6Streak W175.9 scored · 79.1 allowed per game1-5 away
- W69-57vs Ball State CardinalsFeb 18
- L74-90at Miami (OH) RedHawksFeb 14
- L72-78at Old Dominion MonarchsFeb 8
- W91-71vs Western Michigan BroncosFeb 4
- W95-83at Buffalo BullsJan 31
- L57-72at Kent State Golden FlashesJan 28
- L65-86vs Akron ZipsJan 24
- W80-77vs Northern Illinois HuskiesJan 21
- L71-76at Ball State CardinalsJan 17
- L85-101at Toledo RocketsJan 14
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
| 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 | Ohio Bobcats | Northern Illinois Huskies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-54 | 26-52 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 50 |
| Three-pointers | 6-16 | 8-17 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 47 |
| Free throws | 16-24 | 6-12 |
| Free throw % | 67 | 50 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 23 |
| Assists | 16 | 16 |
| Steals | 10 | 4 |
| Blocks | 4 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 22 | 5 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 36 |
| Fouls | 10 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 15 | 1 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 91 | 4 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half37-29Makhai Valentine makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half37-31Taj Walters makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half37-33Gustav Winther makes layup (Dylan Ducommun assists)
- 2nd Half40-33Jackson Paveletzke makes 25-foot three point jumper (Aidan Hadaway assists)
- 2nd Half40-34Gianni Cobb makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-34Ajay Sheldon makes 24-foot three point jumper (Aidan Hadaway assists)
- 2nd Half46-34Ajay Sheldon makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half46-37Taj Walters makes 27-foot three point jumper (Dylan Ducommun assists)
- 2nd Half47-37Ayden Evans makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-37Ayden Evans makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-39Makhai Valentine makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half48-41Gustav Winther makes 5-foot dunk (Dylan Ducommun assists)
- 2nd Half50-41Aidan Hadaway makes 6-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half50-42Dylan Ducommun makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-42Javan Simmons makes layup (Ajay Sheldon assists)
- 2nd Half52-44Gianni Cobb makes layup
- 2nd Half53-44Javan Simmons makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-47Dylan Ducommun makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half53-49Taj Walters makes layup
- 2nd Half55-49Javan Simmons makes layup (Aidan Hadaway assists)
- 2nd Half56-49Javan Simmons makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half58-49Aidan Hadaway makes layup (Javan Simmons assists)
- 2nd Half60-49JJ Kelly makes 5-foot dunk (Ajay Sheldon assists)
- 2nd Half60-52Dylan Ducommun makes 24-foot three point jumper (Gianni Cobb assists)
- 2nd Half60-54Hassan Washington makes layup (Gianni Cobb assists)
- 2nd Half60-56Gianni Cobb makes layup
- 2nd Half62-56Aidan Hadaway makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half63-56JJ Kelly makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-59Makhai Valentine makes 26-foot three point jumper (Dylan Ducommun assists)
- 2nd Half65-59Aidan Hadaway makes layup
- 2nd Half67-59Javan Simmons makes layup (Jackson Paveletzke assists)
- 2nd Half68-59Javan Simmons makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half69-59Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-59Jackson Paveletzke makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half73-59JJ Kelly makes 3-foot dunk (Ajay Sheldon assists)
- 2nd Half73-61Makhai Valentine makes layup (Gianni Cobb assists)
- 2nd Half73-62Makhai Valentine makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-62Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-64Gianni Cobb makes layup
- 2nd Half74-66Gianni Cobb makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Northern Illinois Huskies, below favours Ohio Bobcats.
Venue
- NIU Convocation CenterDekalb, IL
- Attendance1245
- OfficialsTodd Von Sossan, Gerald Williams, Alex Landis
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