Northern Kentucky Dominates Purdue Fort Wayne 87-71
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Truist Arena
Northern Kentucky Norse 87, Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 71, 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 Northern Kentucky Norse?
Northern Kentucky Norse beat Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 87-71 at Truist Arena on February 18, 2026.
Who was favored in Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons vs Northern Kentucky Norse?
Northern Kentucky Norse were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -250 (about 71% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup, the Northern Kentucky Norse secured a commanding 87-71 victory over the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons at Truist Arena. This win marks an important moment for Northern Kentucky, enhancing their record to 18-11, while Purdue Fort Wayne falls to 15-14. The game showcased the Norse's offensive prowess, particularly in the second half, where they outscored their opponents significantly.
Northern Kentucky entered the contest with a mixed recent form, holding a 4-6 record over their last ten games. However, they were on a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated the IU Indianapolis Jaguars and the Milwaukee Panthers. The Norse averaged 80.5 points scored per game while allowing 79.4 during this stretch, indicating a high-scoring style that was evident in this match. At home, their record was 2-2 in the last ten games, while their overall performance has been characterized by a strong offensive output, particularly in their recent victories.
On the other hand, Purdue Fort Wayne had a slightly better recent record of 5-4-1 over their last ten games, but they were also coming off a win against the IU Indianapolis Jaguars. The Mastodons averaged 68.1 points scored and allowed 69.4 points per game in this period, reflecting a more defensive approach compared to their opponents. Their away record was 2-2 in the last ten games, and they faced challenges in maintaining consistent scoring, which was evident in their performance against Northern Kentucky.
Historically, the matchup has favored Northern Kentucky, who now leads the head-to-head record 3-1 against Purdue Fort Wayne in their last four meetings. Prior encounters included a close 79-74 victory for Northern Kentucky earlier in the season and a narrow 69-68 win at home last year. This history added an extra layer of intensity to the game, as both teams sought to assert their dominance in the league.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams were expected to field their best players, which contributed to the competitive nature of the game. The market had Northern Kentucky favored by 5.5 points, according to DraftKings, with a total set at 153.5. The odds reflected confidence in Northern Kentucky's ability to perform at home, where they have been strong, particularly in recent outings.
The conditions at Truist Arena were conducive to an exciting basketball atmosphere, with fans eager to see their team perform well. The Norse capitalized on this home-court advantage, executing their game plan effectively and maintaining control throughout the match.
As the game progressed, Northern Kentucky's offensive strategy became increasingly apparent. They leveraged their scoring ability, particularly in the second half, where they pushed the lead to as much as 16 points. Key moments included successful layups from DeAndre Craig Jr. and crucial free throws from LJ Wells, which helped to solidify their lead. The Mastodons struggled to keep pace, with their scoring efforts falling short against the Norse's relentless attack.
In conclusion, Northern Kentucky's victory over Purdue Fort Wayne not only boosts their standing in the league but also showcases their potential as a formidable contender. The Norse's ability to score efficiently while maintaining defensive pressure will be critical as they move forward in the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NKU -5.5 | 153.5 o -112 / u -108 | Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons +205 · Northern Kentucky Norse -250 |
Leaders
- PointsLJ Wells29Northern Kentucky Norse
- AssistsLJ Wells5Northern Kentucky Norse
- ReboundsTae Dozier15Northern Kentucky Norse
- PointsDeAndre Craig Jr.24Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
- AssistsMikale Stevenson4Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
- ReboundsMikale Stevenson6Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
Recent form
Northern Kentucky Norse
Last 10: 4-6Streak W280.5 scored · 79.4 allowed per game2-2 at home
- W84-81at IU Indianapolis JaguarsFeb 12
- W67-62vs Milwaukee PanthersFeb 7
- L84-87vs Green Bay PhoenixFeb 5
- L65-76at Oakland Golden GrizzliesFeb 1
- L77-90at Detroit Mercy TitansJan 31
- L80-88at Wright State RaidersJan 24
- L89-92vs Robert Morris ColonialsJan 18
- W96-71vs Detroit Mercy TitansJan 16
- L78-80at Green Bay PhoenixJan 11
- W85-67at Milwaukee PanthersJan 10
Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
Last 10: 5-4-1Streak W168.1 scored · 69.4 allowed per game2-2 away
- 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
- W83-76at Detroit Mercy TitansJan 22
- W100-82vs Milwaukee PanthersJan 18
- W79-74at Robert Morris ColonialsJan 11
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 | Northern Kentucky Norse |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 22-53 | 32-62 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 52 |
| Three-pointers | 10-27 | 10-29 |
| Three-point % | 37 | 34 |
| Free throws | 17-22 | 13-19 |
| Free throw % | 77 | 68 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 5 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 26 |
| Assists | 12 | 18 |
| Steals | 4 | 8 |
| Blocks | 1 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 14 | 23 |
| Points in the paint | 24 | 44 |
| Fouls | 20 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 7 | 7 |
| Time in front | 17 | 78 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half45-50DeAndre Craig Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half45-52LJ Wells makes layup (Dan Gherezgher assists)
- 2nd Half45-55LJ Wells makes 28-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half45-56Kael Robinson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-56Corey Hadnot II makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-56Corey Hadnot II makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half48-58LJ Wells makes layup
- 2nd Half48-60Kael Robinson makes layup (Ethan Elliott assists)
- 2nd Half48-62LJ Wells makes driving layup
- 2nd Half49-62DeAndre Craig Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-62DeAndre Craig Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-62DeAndre Craig Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-62DeAndre Craig Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-62EJ Mosley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-62EJ Mosley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-62Corey Hadnot II makes driving layup (Mikale Stevenson assists)
- 2nd Half56-64Ethan Elliott makes layup
- 2nd Half58-64Deangelo Elisee makes layup (Corey Hadnot II assists)
- 2nd Half58-65Donovan Oday makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-68Shawn Nelson makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half58-70LJ Wells makes layup
- 2nd Half61-70DeAndre Craig Jr. makes 22-foot three point jumper (Corey Hadnot II assists)
- 2nd Half61-71LJ Wells makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-72LJ Wells makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-72Maximus Nelson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mikale Stevenson assists)
- 2nd Half64-75Dan Gherezgher makes 26-foot three point jumper (LJ Wells assists)
- 2nd Half65-75DeAndre Craig Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-75DeAndre Craig Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-77Dan Gherezgher makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-80Donovan Oday makes 23-foot three point jumper (Dan Gherezgher assists)
- 2nd Half66-81LJ Wells makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-82LJ Wells makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-82Chris Morgan makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-82Chris Morgan makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-84Donovan Oday makes layup (LJ Wells assists)
- 2nd Half70-84DeAndre Craig Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half71-84DeAndre Craig Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half71-85LJ Wells makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-86LJ Wells makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-87Dan Gherezgher makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Northern Kentucky Norse, below favours Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons.
Venue
- Truist ArenaHighland Heights, KY
- Attendance2066
- OfficialsEarl Walton, Tim Comer, Nate Harris
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