Illinois State Edges Northern Iowa in Thrilling 71-69 Contest

Cedar Falls, IA – The Illinois State Redbirds secured a narrow 71-69 victory over the Northern Iowa Panthers on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in a tightly contested matchup at the McLeod Center. A late jump shot from Johnny Kinziger proved to be the decisive moment for the Redbirds.

Game Recap

The game remained closely contested throughout, with both teams trading leads. Boden Skunberg led Illinois State in scoring with 14 points, while Will Hornseth paced Northern Iowa with 13 points. Illinois State shot 49% from the field (26-53) and 37% from three-point range (10-27), while Northern Iowa shot 50% from the field (24-48) and 56% from beyond the arc (9-16). The Redbirds capitalized on free throws, going 9-for-11 (82%), compared to the Panthers’ 12-for-19 (63%).

Key Performers

• Illinois State: Boden Skunberg (14 points), Johnny Kinziger (game-winning shot)
• Northern Iowa: Will Hornseth (13 points)

Statistical Highlights

Illinois State committed 12 turnovers, while Northern Iowa had 8. The Redbirds secured 32 rebounds compared to the Panthers’ 26. Illinois State led for 53% of the game, while Northern Iowa led for 32%, with a largest lead of 8 points.

Game Flow

The game featured several key moments, including three-pointers from Mason Klabo and layups from Leon Bond III. However, it was Skunberg’s scoring and Kinziger’s clutch shot in the final seconds that ultimately sealed the win for Illinois State.

Team Statistics

Looking Ahead

Illinois State will look to build on this momentum in their next contest, while Northern Iowa will aim to bounce back from this narrow defeat.