Mastodons Edge Jaguars in Close Contest
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · The Jungle
Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 87, IU Indianapolis Jaguars 81, 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 Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons vs IU Indianapolis Jaguars?
Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons beat IU Indianapolis Jaguars 87-81 at The Jungle on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons vs IU Indianapolis Jaguars?
Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -130 (about 57% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons defeated the IU Indianapolis Jaguars 87-81 at The Jungle on February 28, 2026. This victory marks another chapter in the rivalry between these two teams, with Purdue Fort Wayne extending their recent dominance over the Jaguars, now holding a 3-0-1 record in their last four meetings.
The Mastodons entered the game with a record of 17-14, while the Jaguars struggled with a 7-24 record. Recent form for both teams indicated challenges, with the Jaguars on a five-game losing streak, having not won since a victory over Cleveland State on February 7. In their last ten games, the Jaguars recorded a 2-7-1 record, averaging 71.3 points scored per game but allowing 74.8 points. Their last five games saw them average 78.8 points scored but also 86.0 points allowed, highlighting defensive weaknesses.
Conversely, the Mastodons had a 3-6-1 record in their last ten games, averaging 65.2 points scored and 70.9 points allowed. They entered the game after a loss to Wright State, and their recent performances indicated a struggle to maintain consistency. The Mastodons had averaged 75.0 points in their last five games while allowing 80.2 points, suggesting a similar defensive vulnerability.
The home and away records further emphasized the challenges faced by both teams. The Jaguars had a home record of 1-3 in their last four games, while the Mastodons were 2-3 in their last five away games. The disparity in their overall records reflected the Mastodons' stronger season performance compared to the Jaguars.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams have faced challenges throughout the season that could have impacted their performance. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored the Mastodons, who were listed at -1.5 on the spread, with a total set at 163.5. The moneyline odds indicated Purdue Fort Wayne at -130 and IU Indianapolis at +110, reflecting the Mastodons' status as slight favorites.
The game conditions were standard for a February evening in Indiana, and as the contest unfolded, viewers were treated to a series of pivotal scoring plays. Notable moments included a layup by Corey Hadnot II and a series of three-pointers by Kameron Tinsley, who played a crucial role in maintaining the Mastodons' lead during the second half.
Ultimately, the Mastodons' ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and maintain composure in the closing moments secured their victory. The Jaguars, despite their efforts, could not overcome their recent struggles, and the final score reflected the ongoing challenges they face this season. As the season progresses, both teams will look to address their weaknesses and build on their performances.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | PFW -1.5 | 163.5 o -105 / u -115 | Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons -130 · IU Indianapolis Jaguars +110 |
Leaders
- PointsMaguire Mitchell20IU Indianapolis Jaguars
- AssistsFinley Woodward10IU Indianapolis Jaguars
- ReboundsFinley Woodward7IU Indianapolis Jaguars
- PointsCorey Hadnot II17Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
- AssistsMikale Stevenson3Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
- ReboundsMaximus Nelson9Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
Recent form
IU Indianapolis Jaguars
Last 10: 2-7-1Streak L571.3 scored · 74.8 allowed per game1-3 at home
- L74-86vs Oakland Golden GrizzliesFeb 25
- L73-85at Wright State RaidersFeb 20
- L78-83at Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsFeb 15
- L81-84vs Northern Kentucky NorseFeb 12
- L88-92vs Milwaukee PanthersFeb 10
- W82-74vs Cleveland State VikingsFeb 7
- L76-85at Youngstown State PenguinsJan 30
- L58-74at Robert Morris ColonialsJan 29
- D0-0vs Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsJan 25
- W103-85at Oakland Golden GrizzliesJan 22
Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
Last 10: 3-6-1Streak L165.2 scored · 70.9 allowed per game1-3 away
- L70-74vs Wright State RaidersFeb 26
- W92-86at Cleveland State VikingsFeb 22
- L71-87at Northern Kentucky NorseFeb 19
- W83-78vs IU Indianapolis JaguarsFeb 15
- L59-76at Green Bay PhoenixFeb 13
- L68-73at Wright State RaidersFeb 8
- L61-90vs Youngstown State PenguinsFeb 5
- W83-71vs Robert Morris ColonialsJan 31
- L65-74vs Oakland Golden GrizzliesJan 29
- D0-0at IU Indianapolis JaguarsJan 25
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons | IU Indianapolis Jaguars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-61 | 31-63 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 8-23 | 12-30 |
| Three-point % | 35 | 40 |
| Free throws | 21-25 | 7-9 |
| Free throw % | 84 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 21 | 23 |
| Assists | 10 | 21 |
| Steals | 8 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 7 |
| Fast-break points | 12 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 42 | 32 |
| Fouls | 11 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 9 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 52 | 35 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half50-49Corey Hadnot II makes layup
- 2nd Half51-49Corey Hadnot II makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half51-51Aiden Miller makes layup (Micah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half53-51Mikale Stevenson makes layup
- 2nd Half56-51Mikale Stevenson makes 24-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half56-53Aiden Miller makes layup (Micah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half57-53Corey Hadnot II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-53Corey Hadnot II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-54Aiden Miller makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-54EJ Mosley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-54EJ Mosley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-57Micah Davis makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kyler D'Augustino assists)
- 2nd Half63-57Yuval Levin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Chris Morgan assists)
- 2nd Half63-59Finley Woodward makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half63-61Kyler D'Augustino makes layup (Finley Woodward assists)
- 2nd Half65-61DeAndre Craig Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half66-61Chris Morgan makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-61Chris Morgan makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-62Maguire Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-63Maguire Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-63Maximus Nelson makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half69-66Maguire Mitchell makes 26-foot three point jumper (Matt Compas assists)
- 2nd Half71-66Mikale Stevenson makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half71-69Maguire Mitchell makes 23-foot three point jumper (Finley Woodward assists)
- 2nd Half73-69Darius Duffy makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half73-70Kameron Tinsley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-71Kameron Tinsley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-71EJ Mosley makes 7-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half78-71Maximus Nelson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Corey Hadnot II assists)
- 2nd Half79-71Mikale Stevenson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half81-71Corey Hadnot II makes 5-foot dunk (Maximus Nelson assists)
- 2nd Half81-73Micah Davis makes 11-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half83-73Corey Hadnot II makes layup
- 2nd Half83-76Kameron Tinsley makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half84-76Deangelo Elisee makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-79Kameron Tinsley makes 26-foot three point jumper (Maguire Mitchell assists)
- 2nd Half85-79Mikale Stevenson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-79Mikale Stevenson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half87-79Mikale Stevenson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half87-81Matt Compas makes 13-foot jumper (Finley Woodward assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours IU Indianapolis Jaguars, below favours Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons.
Venue
- The JungleIndianapolis, IN
- Attendance1117
- OfficialsDan Dorian, Scott Arbogast, Brian Shore
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
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Mastodons Edge Jaguars in Close ContestFeb 15, 2026
- Game Postponed: Jaguars vs. MastodonsJan 25, 2026