Javan Simmons led Ohio with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks
Ohio improved to 15-13 overall and 9-6 in Mid-American Conference play
Northern Illinois falls to 9-17 overall and 4-10 in conference
Ohio took control early and never trailed after the 13:32 mark of the first half
📖 Full Retelling
Javan Simmons scored 23 points to lead the Ohio Bobcats to a 74-66 victory over the Northern Illinois Huskies in DeKalb, Illinois on February 21, 2026, during a Mid-American Conference regular season basketball game. Simmons also contributed seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks to the winning effort, while Jackson Paveletzke added 14 points and six assists, and Aidan Hadaway chipped in with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals. For the Huskies, Makhai Valentine led all scorers with 15 points and five rebounds, supported by Dylan Ducommun's 13 points, six assists, and five rebounds, and Gianni Cobb's 13 points with five assists. Ohio seized control early in the game, taking the lead with 13:32 remaining in the first half and never relinquishing it, building a 37-25 halftime advantage behind Simmons' 14 first-half points. The Bobcats extended their lead to 11 points at 60-49 with 8:37 left in the second half on a 7-0 run before securing the victory, improving their conference record to 9-6 while Northern Illinois fell to 4-10 in MAC play.
🏷️ Themes
College Basketball, Mid-American Conference, Sports Victory
Amateur basketball played by students of higher education institutions
College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athletic bodies, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercolle...
The Ohio Bobcats are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Ohio University, located in Athens, Ohio, United States. Ohio University is a charter member (1946) of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), is currently in the East Divisio...
Intercollegiate sports teams of Northern Illinois University
The Northern Illinois Huskies are the athletic teams that represent Northern Illinois University (NIU). The Huskies are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The athletic program is made up of seven men's sports (baseball, b...
Ohio's win improves its standing in the Mid-American Conference and showcases Javan Simmons as a key player for the Bobcats, potentially boosting their postseason prospects
Context & Background
Ohio record 15-13 overall and 9-6 in the MAC
Javan Simmons scored 23 points with seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks
Northern Illinois finished 9-17 overall and 4-10 in the MAC
What Happens Next
Ohio will continue its conference schedule with upcoming games that could determine playoff eligibility, while Simmons may receive conference honors for his performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led Ohio in scoring?
Javan Simmons scored 23 points
How did Northern Illinois perform in the game?
They finished with 15 points from Makhai Valentine and 13 points from Dylan Ducommun and Gianni Cobb
What was the final score?
Ohio 74, Northern Illinois 66
What does this win mean for Ohio's season?
It improves their overall and conference record and strengthens their position for postseason play
Original Source
Simmons has 23 as Ohio downs Northern Illinois 74-66 Led by Javan Simmons' 23 points, the Ohio Bobcats defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies 74-66 By The Associated Press February 21, 2026, 5:39 PM DEKALB, Ill. -- Javan Simmons had 23 points in Ohio's 74-66 victory against Northern Illinois on Saturday. Simmons also had seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks for the Bobcats (15-13, 9-6 Mid-American Conference). Jackson Paveletzke scored 14 points and added six assists. Aidan Hadaway had 13 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Makhai Valentine led the Huskies (9-17, 4-10) in scoring, finishing with 15 points and five rebounds. Northern Illinois also got 13 points, six assists and five rebounds from Dylan Ducommun. Gianni Cobb also had 13 points and five assists. Taj Walters had 10 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Ohio took the lead with 13:32 left in the first half and did not trail again. Simmons led with 14 points in the first half to help put the Bobcats ahead 37-25 at the break. Ohio used a 7-0 run in the second half to build an 11-point lead at 60-49 with 8:37 left in the half before finishing off the win. Popular Reads Nancy Guthrie live updates: More than 1 suspect not ruled out, sheriff's office says 1 hour ago Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor released after arrest on suspicion of misconduct Feb 19, 4:23 PM Nancy Guthrie case: Person released as search for 'armed individual' continues Feb 10, 11:15 PM ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . Sponsored Content by Taboola Popular Reads Nancy Guthrie live updates: More than 1 suspect not ruled out, sheriff's office says 1 hour ago Nancy Guthrie case: Person released as search for 'armed individual' continues Feb 10, 11:15 PM Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor released after arrest on suspicion of misconduct Feb 19, 4:23 PM Trump says he has signed order for new 15% tariff after Supreme Court ruling 2 hours ago ABC News Live 24/7 coverage of b...
