NCAAB · Final

Northern Iowa Tops Valparaiso in Close Contest

Monday, December 29, 2025, 8:00 PM ET · McLeod Center

Northern Iowa Panthers 58, Valparaiso Beacons 48, 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 Valparaiso Beacons vs Northern Iowa Panthers?

Northern Iowa Panthers beat Valparaiso Beacons 58-48 at McLeod Center on December 29, 2025.

Who was favored in Valparaiso Beacons vs Northern Iowa Panthers?

Northern Iowa Panthers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -455 (about 82% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Northern Iowa Panthers emerged victorious against the Valparaiso Beacons with a final score of 58-48 at the McLeod Center. This win improves Northern Iowa's record to 11-3, while Valparaiso falls to 6-8. The game showcased the Panthers' strong defensive capabilities, as they limited Valparaiso to just 48 points, well below their average of 75.5 points per game in their last ten outings.

Northern Iowa entered the game with a home record of 10-3, having won 7 of their last 10 games but coming off a loss to the Saint Mary's Gaels on December 23. Their recent form had seen them average 70.3 points scored while allowing only 58.2 points, indicating a solid defensive effort. In contrast, Valparaiso's recent form was less favorable, with a record of 5-5 in their last ten games and currently on a three-game losing streak. They had been averaging 75.5 points scored but allowing 68.4 points, suggesting a struggle on the defensive end.

At home, Northern Iowa had a record of 4-1, while Valparaiso struggled on the road with a 1-2 away record. This home advantage played a crucial role in the outcome of the game, as the Panthers were able to leverage the support of their fans. The previous meetings between these two teams had not favored Northern Iowa, as they had lost both encounters earlier in the season, including a narrow defeat of 63-64 on March 8 and a 73-80 loss on January 4.

In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either team, which allowed both sides to field their strongest lineups. The conditions in the McLeod Center were conducive for basketball, with the venue providing a familiar setting for the Panthers.

The betting lines from DraftKings indicated Northern Iowa as the favorites with a spread of -8.5 and a total set at 131.5. The odds reflected confidence in Northern Iowa's ability to secure the win, which they ultimately did. The final scoring plays highlighted the Panthers' ability to maintain their lead in the closing moments, with key free throws from Trey Campbell and Tristan Smith sealing the victory.

Overall, the game was a testament to Northern Iowa's resilience and defensive prowess, while Valparaiso will need to reassess their strategy as they continue to seek consistency in their performance.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UNI -8.5	131.5 o -108 / u -112	Valparaiso Beacons +350 · Northern Iowa Panthers -455

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsWill Hornseth16Northern Iowa Panthers
AssistsTrey Campbell3Northern Iowa Panthers
ReboundsWill Hornseth7Northern Iowa Panthers
PointsOwen Dease18Valparaiso Beacons
AssistsRakim Chaney3Valparaiso Beacons
ReboundsJT Pettigrew7Valparaiso Beacons

Recent form

Northern Iowa Panthers

Last 10: 7-3Streak L170.3 scored · 58.2 allowed per game4-1 at home

L58-63at Saint Mary's GaelsDec 23
W60-54at UIC FlamesDec 17
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

Valparaiso Beacons

Last 10: 5-5Streak L375.5 scored · 68.4 allowed per game1-2 away

L79-85vs Murray State RacersDec 21
L70-86at Northwestern WildcatsDec 17
L70-73vs UNC Wilmington SeahawksDec 13
W98-58vs Calumet St. Joseph Crimson WaveDec 6
L72-75at Marquette Golden EaglesDec 3
W84-55vs Western Michigan BroncosNov 29
L56-64vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesNov 26
W90-75at Cleveland State VikingsNov 20
W68-50vs Bryant BulldogsNov 16
W68-63vs Nicholls ColonelsNov 13

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	Valparaiso Beacons	Northern Iowa Panthers
Field goals	17-58	20-43
Field goal %	29	47
Three-pointers	3-23	4-12
Three-point %	13	33
Free throws	11-14	14-18
Free throw %	79	78
Rebounds	37	32
Offensive rebounds	15	4
Defensive rebounds	22	28
Assists	8	11
Steals	6	6
Blocks	4	4
Turnovers	8	10
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	6	5
Fast-break points	2	2
Points in the paint	20	32
Fouls	14	15
Largest lead	2	10
Lead changes	2	2
Time in front	10	79

How the scoring went

1st Half22-22Will Hornseth makes layup
2nd Half24-22Isaiah Barnes makes layup
2nd Half24-24Will Hornseth makes layup (Trey Campbell assists)
2nd Half24-26Ben Schwieger makes layup
2nd Half26-26JT Pettigrew makes layup
2nd Half26-28Leon Bond III makes 8-foot jumper (Trey Campbell assists)
2nd Half28-28Carter Hopoi makes layup (JT Pettigrew assists)
2nd Half28-29Leon Bond III makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half28-30Leon Bond III makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half28-31Trey Campbell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half28-32Trey Campbell makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half29-32Owen Dease makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half30-32Owen Dease makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half30-34Leon Bond III makes layup (Ismael Diouf assists)
2nd Half30-36Trey Campbell makes layup
2nd Half32-36Owen Dease makes 16-foot jumper
2nd Half35-36Owen Dease makes 28-foot three point jumper
2nd Half35-38Trey Campbell makes layup
2nd Half36-38Owen Dease makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half37-38Owen Dease makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half37-41Trey Campbell makes 25-foot three point jumper (Will Hornseth assists)
2nd Half37-44Will Hornseth makes 26-foot three point jumper (Tristan Smith assists)
2nd Half39-44Owen Dease makes layup (Rakim Chaney assists)
2nd Half41-44Owen Dease makes layup
2nd Half42-44Owen Dease makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half43-44Owen Dease makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half43-46Will Hornseth makes layup
2nd Half43-48Will Hornseth makes layup
2nd Half43-49Kyle Pock makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half43-50Kyle Pock makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-50JT Pettigrew makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half45-50JT Pettigrew makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-52Ben Schwieger makes layup
2nd Half45-53Trey Campbell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half45-54Trey Campbell makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-54Owen Dease makes 26-foot three point jumper (Rakim Chaney assists)
2nd Half48-55Trey Campbell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-56Tristan Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-57Tristan Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-58Leon Bond III makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours Northern Iowa Panthers, below favours Valparaiso Beacons.