Leathernecks Edge Hawks in Overtime Thriller
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2:00 PM ET · Betty Engelstad Sioux Center
Western Illinois Leathernecks 69, North Dakota Fighting Hawks 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 Western Illinois Leathernecks vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks?
Western Illinois Leathernecks beat North Dakota Fighting Hawks 69-66 at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on December 13, 2025.
Who was favored in Western Illinois Leathernecks vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks?
North Dakota Fighting Hawks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -340 (about 77% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup that extended into overtime, the Western Illinois Leathernecks defeated the North Dakota Fighting Hawks 69-66 at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. This victory marks a significant moment for the Leathernecks, who improved their record to 5-7, while the Fighting Hawks fell to 4-10 for the season. The game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with each side battling for supremacy in a closely matched encounter.
The Fighting Hawks entered the game with a home record of 4-9 and had been showing signs of improvement, winning their last game against the Crown Polars 89-43. However, their overall form was mixed, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, averaging 76.2 points scored while allowing 74.8 points per game. Their recent performance at home had seen them win two out of five games, indicating a struggle to maintain consistency on their own court.
On the other hand, the Leathernecks had a slightly better recent record of 3-7 in their last ten games, averaging 68.1 points scored and allowing 75.3 points. Their away performance had been particularly challenging, as they were winless in five attempts prior to this game. However, they managed to break that streak with a crucial victory, having previously lost to the Fighting Hawks 78-69 in their last encounter on November 24.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any notable absences for either team, suggesting that both squads were at full strength for this pivotal matchup. The market had set the odds with DraftKings favoring North Dakota by 7.5 points, indicating expectations for a competitive game. The total points line was set at 145.5, reflecting the anticipated scoring potential of both teams.
The game conditions were conducive for basketball, with no adverse weather factors affecting play inside the arena. As the game unfolded, it became clear that both teams were determined to secure a victory, leading to a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
In overtime, the scoring plays highlighted the tension and skill on display. Isaiah Griffin made a crucial layup to tie the game at 64-64, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Free throws from Lucas Lorenzen and Griffin further shifted the momentum, as the teams exchanged leads in the final minutes. Ultimately, it was Lorenzen's free throws that sealed the victory for the Leathernecks, allowing them to escape with a hard-fought win.
This matchup not only showcased the resilience of the Leathernecks but also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the Fighting Hawks as they seek to find their rhythm this season. The close score and the intensity of the game made it a noteworthy fixture in the NCAAB calendar.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UND -7.5 | 145.5 o -115 / u -105 | Western Illinois Leathernecks +270 · North Dakota Fighting Hawks -340 |
Leaders
- PointsEli King13North Dakota Fighting Hawks
- AssistsEli King2North Dakota Fighting Hawks
- ReboundsGarrett Anderson6North Dakota Fighting Hawks
- PointsIsaiah Griffin18Western Illinois Leathernecks
- AssistsMakai Kvamme4Western Illinois Leathernecks
- ReboundsKaryiek Dixon18Western Illinois Leathernecks
Recent form
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Last 10: 4-6Streak W176.2 scored · 74.8 allowed per game2-3 at home
- W89-43vs Crown PolarsDec 11
- L75-79vs Montana GrizzliesDec 7
- L58-90at Idaho VandalsDec 4
- L55-92at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsNov 29
- W78-69at Western Illinois LeathernecksNov 24
- L58-75vs Coastal Carolina ChanticleersNov 23
- L60-75at Creighton BluejaysNov 20
- W76-74at UC Riverside HighlandersNov 15
- W128-58vs Mayville State CometsNov 12
- L85-93vs Cal State Northridge MatadorsNov 9
Western Illinois Leathernecks
Last 10: 3-7Streak W168.1 scored · 75.3 allowed per game0-5 away
- W78-47vs Hannibal LaGrange TrojansDec 6
- L57-108at Drake BulldogsDec 3
- W89-73vs St. Ambrose Fighting BeesNov 30
- L69-78vs North Dakota Fighting HawksNov 24
- L64-84vs Coastal Carolina ChanticleersNov 22
- W74-63vs Coe KohawksNov 18
- L59-69at California Baptist LancersNov 15
- L58-74at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersNov 12
- L58-77at Iowa HawkeyesNov 8
- L75-80at Radford HighlandersNov 4
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State | 23-10 | - | 15-5 |
| Morehead State | 20-13 | - | 15-5 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 20-13 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UT Martin | 22-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 19-13 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Lindenwood | 18-15 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Little Rock | 12-20 | 6 | 9-11 |
| Tennessee Tech | 13-18 | 6 | 8-12 |
| Eastern Illinois | 13-20 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Southern Indiana | 7-23 | 11 | 4-16 |
| Western Illinois | 5-26 | 14 | 1-19 |
| North Dakota State | 27-8 | - | 14-2 |
| St. Thomas | 24-10 | 2 | 12-4 |
| North Dakota | 18-17 | 4 | 10-6 |
| South Dakota | 16-16 | 6 | 8-8 |
| Omaha | 16-17 | 6 | 8-8 |
| Denver | 15-17 | 7 | 8-8 |
| South Dakota State | 14-18 | 7 | 7-9 |
| Oral Roberts | 10-23 | 10 | 4-12 |
| Kansas City | 4-27 | 13 | 1-15 |
Box score
| Stat | Western Illinois Leathernecks | North Dakota Fighting Hawks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-70 | 21-55 |
| Field goal % | 33 | 38 |
| Three-pointers | 3-19 | 6-29 |
| Three-point % | 16 | 21 |
| Free throws | 20-25 | 18-25 |
| Free throw % | 80 | 72 |
| Rebounds | 51 | 39 |
| Offensive rebounds | 25 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 27 |
| Assists | 9 | 10 |
| Steals | 9 | 4 |
| Blocks | 5 | 10 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 17 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 24 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 3 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 30 |
| Fouls | 24 | 23 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 6 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 53 | 38 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half40-34Karyiek Dixon made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half40-35George Natsvlishvili made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half40-36George Natsvlishvili made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half42-36Isaiah Griffin made Layup.
- 2nd Half42-38Anthony Smith III made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half44-38Francis Okwuosah made Layup. Assisted by Antwaun Massey.
- 2nd Half44-39Eli King made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half44-40Eli King made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half45-40Isaiah Griffin made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half46-40Isaiah Griffin made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half46-43Eli King made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Reggie Thomas.
- 2nd Half46-45George Natsvlishvili made Layup. Assisted by Reggie Thomas.
- 2nd Half49-45Francis Okwuosah made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Makai Kvamme.
- 2nd Half49-46Marley Curtis made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half49-47Marley Curtis made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-47Lucas Lorenzen made Jumper.
- 2nd Half52-47Francis Okwuosah made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half53-47Francis Okwuosah made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half53-48Greyson Uelmen made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half53-50George Natsvlishvili made Layup.
- 2nd Half55-50Makai Kvamme made Layup.
- 2nd Half57-50Antwaun Massey made Layup.
- 2nd Half57-52Greyson Uelmen made Layup.
- 2nd Half57-55Eli King made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Greyson Uelmen.
- 2nd Half57-57Greyson Uelmen made Layup.
- 2nd Half60-57Isaiah Griffin made Three Point Jumper.
- 2nd Half60-58Garrett Anderson made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half60-59Garrett Anderson made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half60-60Eli King made Free Throw.
- OT60-62Greyson Uelmen made Layup. Assisted by Zach Kraft.
- OT62-62Makai Kvamme made Layup.
- OT62-64Josh Jones made Layup. Assisted by Greyson Uelmen.
- OT64-64Isaiah Griffin made Layup. Assisted by Makai Kvamme.
- OT65-64Lucas Lorenzen made Free Throw.
- OT66-64Lucas Lorenzen made Free Throw.
- OT66-65Greyson Uelmen made Free Throw.
- OT66-66Greyson Uelmen made Free Throw.
- OT67-66Isaiah Griffin made Free Throw.
- OT68-66Isaiah Griffin made Free Throw.
- OT69-66Lucas Lorenzen made Free Throw.
Win probability
Above the line favours North Dakota Fighting Hawks, below favours Western Illinois Leathernecks.
Venue
- Betty Engelstad Sioux CenterGrand Forks, ND
- Attendance1528
- OfficialsBret Wegenke, Dan Dorian, Brad Clauss
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- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond