Donovan Oday scores 26 as Northern Kentucky edges IU Indianapolis 84-81 in Horizon League game
Norse hold off late Jaguars push in Indianapolis
Northern Kentucky used a trio of high-scoring performances to outlast IU Indianapolis 84-81 on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in a Horizon League matchup in Indianapolis. The result moved Northern Kentucky to 16-11 overall and 8-8 in conference play, while IU Indianapolis fell to 7-20 and 3-13 in the league.
Guard Donovan Oday led all scorers with 26 points, setting the tone for a Northern Kentucky offense that leaned heavily on perimeter production and free-throw efficiency to survive a one-possession finish.
Three Norse reach double figures, with heavy emphasis from beyond the arc
Northern Kentucky placed three players at 19 points or more, a distribution that limited the impact of cold stretches and helped the Norse answer runs without relying on a single option. Alongside Oday, Dan Gherezgher Jr. scored 24 points and connected on five 3-pointers, while Tae Dozier added 19 points with three made 3s and a 6-of-8 line at the free-throw stripe.
- Donovan Oday: 26 points
- Dan Gherezgher Jr.: 24 points, 5 made 3-pointers
- Tae Dozier: 19 points, 6-of-8 free throws
Collectively, the Norse received the bulk of their scoring from shot-making outside and steady conversion at the line late, a combination that can be decisive in close Horizon League games where possessions tighten in the final minutes.
IU Indianapolis gets balanced scoring but comes up short
IU Indianapolis was led by Kyler D’Augustino with 22 points. Jaxon Edwards contributed 16 points, five assists and two steals, and Finley Woodward added 15 points and six rebounds. The Jaguars generated enough offense to keep pressure on Northern Kentucky throughout, but the final margin underscored how little room there is against teams that can score in multiple ways.
- Kyler D’Augustino: 22 points
- Jaxon Edwards: 16 points, 5 assists, 2 steals
- Finley Woodward: 15 points, 6 rebounds
Series note: a familiar matchup in a shifting season
The 84-81 result marked Northern Kentucky’s second win over IU Indianapolis this calendar year. On Jan. 1, 2026, Northern Kentucky won 81-72 in Highland Heights, Kentucky, also behind a scoring lead from Oday. Thursday’s rematch in Indianapolis was tighter, with the Jaguars matching Northern Kentucky possession-for-possession down the stretch before the Norse closed out the three-point victory.
Final score (Feb. 12, 2026): Northern Kentucky 84, IU Indianapolis 81.
For Northern Kentucky, the win reinforced its ability to win away from home in league play. For IU Indianapolis, the loss extended a difficult conference stretch despite three double-figure scorers and a late push that kept the game in doubt until the final possessions.