Simmons has 23 as Ohio downs Northern Illinois 74-66

Published Feb. 21, 2026 5:39 p.m. ET

Associated Press

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — 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.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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