Huskies Dominate Broncos in Convocation Center Showdown
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · NIU Convocation Center
Northern Illinois Huskies 85, Western Michigan Broncos 65, 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 Michigan Broncos vs Northern Illinois Huskies?
Northern Illinois Huskies beat Western Michigan Broncos 85-65 at NIU Convocation Center on January 27, 2026.
Who was favored in Western Michigan Broncos vs Northern Illinois Huskies?
Northern Illinois Huskies were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -112 (about 53% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive victory, the Northern Illinois Huskies defeated the Western Michigan Broncos 85-65 at the NIU Convocation Center. This win marked a significant turnaround for the Huskies, who had been struggling with a recent record of 3-7 over their last ten games, including a two-game losing streak prior to this match. With this victory, they improved their home record to 4-2 in their last six home games.
The Huskies had averaged 72.5 points while allowing 73.8 in their last ten games, showcasing a tendency for high-scoring affairs. In contrast, the Broncos, who also entered the game with a 3-7 record in their last ten, had been averaging 75.2 points but allowing a higher 79.5 points per game. The Broncos were coming off a win against the Central Michigan Chippewas, which snapped a streak of losses but did not carry over into this matchup.
Historically, the Huskies have struggled against the Broncos, with a head-to-head record of 0-2 in the previous season. Their last two meetings resulted in narrow defeats, losing 70-74 at home and 70-72 away. However, the Huskies turned the tables this time, demonstrating a more robust performance.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details about player availability, but both teams had been dealing with challenges throughout the season. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Huskies favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 146.5. This indicated a competitive matchup, although the Huskies clearly exceeded expectations with their performance.
The game conditions at the NIU Convocation Center were conducive to a strong offensive display, and the Huskies capitalized on this, particularly in the second half. Key scoring plays included free throws by Sharod Barnes and Declan Peterson, as well as a notable three-point jumper by Brady Swartz, which helped to widen the gap in the final moments of the game.
Overall, the Huskies' victory not only boosts their confidence but also alters the landscape of their season as they look to build on this success moving forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NIU -1.5 | 146.5 o -112 / u -108 | Western Michigan Broncos -108 · Northern Illinois Huskies -112 |
Leaders
- PointsDylan Ducommun21Northern Illinois Huskies
- AssistsGianni Cobb8Northern Illinois Huskies
- ReboundsTaj Walters8Northern Illinois Huskies
- PointsBrady Swartz16Western Michigan Broncos
- AssistsEJ Ryans3Western Michigan Broncos
- ReboundsBrady Swartz6Western Michigan Broncos
Recent form
Northern Illinois Huskies
Last 10: 3-7Streak L272.5 scored · 73.8 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L53-58at Ball State CardinalsJan 24
- L77-80at Ohio BobcatsJan 21
- W70-68vs Massachusetts MinutemenJan 17
- L59-77at Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 13
- L61-75vs Toledo RocketsJan 7
- L73-77at Kent State Golden FlashesJan 3
- L67-81vs Buffalo BullsDec 31
- W74-73vs Central Michigan ChippewasDec 20
- W112-64vs East West PhantomsDec 17
- L79-85at Elon PhoenixDec 13
Western Michigan Broncos
Last 10: 3-7Streak W175.2 scored · 79.5 allowed per game0-4 away
- W77-65vs Central Michigan ChippewasJan 24
- L54-72vs Bowling Green FalconsJan 21
- L89-104at Akron ZipsJan 17
- L82-85vs Massachusetts MinutemenJan 14
- W79-62vs Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 10
- L76-87at Miami (OH) RedHawksJan 7
- L79-84at Toledo RocketsDec 30
- W94-57vs Defiance Yellow JacketsDec 22
- L71-88vs Buffalo BullsDec 20
- L51-91at Iowa HawkeyesDec 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 | Western Michigan Broncos | Northern Illinois Huskies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 18-52 | 32-64 |
| Field goal % | 35 | 50 |
| Three-pointers | 7-22 | 15-30 |
| Three-point % | 32 | 50 |
| Free throws | 22-27 | 6-10 |
| Free throw % | 81 | 60 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 17 |
| Defensive rebounds | 17 | 21 |
| Assists | 11 | 19 |
| Steals | 3 | 5 |
| Blocks | 3 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 18 | 30 |
| Fouls | 15 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 0 | 25 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 0 | 99 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half38-50Gustav Winther makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half39-50Trey Lewis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-50Trey Lewis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-52Makhai Valentine makes 21-foot jumper (Hassan Washington assists)
- 2nd Half40-55Dylan Ducommun makes 24-foot three point jumper (Gianni Cobb assists)
- 2nd Half40-57Gianni Cobb makes layup
- 2nd Half40-60Dylan Ducommun makes 24-foot three point jumper (Gianni Cobb assists)
- 2nd Half40-62Gustav Winther makes 5-foot alley oop dunk (Dylan Ducommun assists)
- 2nd Half41-62Brady Swartz makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-62Brady Swartz makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-62Sharod Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-62Sharod Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-65Dylan Ducommun makes 25-foot three point jumper (Gianni Cobb assists)
- 2nd Half46-65Brady Swartz makes layup
- 2nd Half47-65Justice Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-65Brady Swartz makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-68Dylan Ducommun makes 26-foot three point jumper (Gustav Winther assists)
- 2nd Half50-68Justice Williams makes layup
- 2nd Half50-69Gianni Cobb makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-72Taj Walters makes 26-foot three point jumper (Dylan Ducommun assists)
- 2nd Half50-74Taj Walters makes layup (Gianni Cobb assists)
- 2nd Half51-74Sharod Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-74Sharod Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-75Hassan Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-75Trey Lewis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-75Trey Lewis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-75Brady Swartz makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-76Gianni Cobb makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-76Sharod Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-78Makhai Valentine makes layup (Daemar Kelly assists)
- 2nd Half56-81Daemar Kelly makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half57-81Sharod Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-81Sharod Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-81Sharod Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-81Sharod Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-83Jaylen Wharton makes 11-foot jumper
- 2nd Half61-83Declan Peterson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-83Declan Peterson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-85Ladji Kante makes layup
- 2nd Half65-85Brady Swartz makes 26-foot three point jumper (Carson Vis assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Northern Illinois Huskies, below favours Western Michigan Broncos.
Venue
- NIU Convocation CenterDekalb, IL
- Attendance1003
- OfficialsCrystal Hogan, Tim Stewart, Andy O'Brien
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- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
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