Indiana College Basketball Weekend Delivers Overtime Thrills And Rivalry Drama

What a weekend it’s shaping up to be for college basketball fans across Indiana and beyond! From overtime heroics in the Horizon League to historic rivalries heating up in the Big Ten, and even a weather-induced postponement, the hardwood action is filled with drama, determination, and a dash of unpredictability. Let’s dive into the highlights and storylines making headlines as teams chase glory and grapple with the twists and turns of the 2025-26 season.

On January 24, 2026, the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team delivered a performance for the ages, outlasting Northern Kentucky University (NKU) 97-91 in an overtime thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats. In a game defined by high-octane offense, clutch plays, and a battle between two standout freshmen, the Mastodons proved their mettle and moved into second place in the Horizon League standings.

Rylee Bess, a name Mastodon fans won’t soon forget, erupted for a career-high 27 points, becoming the first Purdue Fort Wayne freshman to score 27 or more against a Division I opponent since 2016. On the other side, NKU’s Karina Bystry responded with a career-best 35 points, setting up a duel that had the crowd buzzing. According to official recaps, "Purdue Fort Wayne's Rylee Bess finished with a career-high 27 points and NKU's Karina Bystry had a career-high 35 of her own."

The Mastodons led for more than 40 minutes and at one point were up by as many as 13, but NKU refused to go quietly. The Norse stormed back with a 7-0 run in the final two minutes of regulation, grabbing a 79-76 lead and sending a jolt through the gym. The last two minutes felt like an eternity—nearly 20 minutes of real time—thanks to appeals, reviews, and timeouts. Yet, the Mastodons kept their composure. Bess hit two clutch free throws, and Lili Krasovec converted a traditional three-point play to tie the game at 81 with just 24 seconds left. NKU had a chance to seal it but missed, and a flurry of turnovers from both sides set the stage for overtime.

Overtime belonged to the Mastodons. Bystry gave the Norse a brief lead with a layup, but Bess responded with a massive three-pointer. Alana Nelson followed suit, and Krasovec’s two free throws extended the lead to 89-83. From there, NKU never got closer than five. All five Mastodon starters played—and scored—in the overtime period, a testament to their grit and stamina.

The Mastodons dominated the boards, pulling down 46 rebounds—the fourth-most in a game against a Division I opponent in program history. Nelson led with eight, while Krasovec and Jordan Reid each grabbed seven. Reid also poured in 19 points, shaking off a slow start, and Nelson added 16 on efficient shooting. Lauren Lee chipped in a season-high-tying 11 points and four assists, while Krasovec scored all 10 of her points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including six from the free throw line.

Saturday’s game was more than just a win; it was historic. It marked the Mastodons’ highest-scoring road league performance since a double-overtime win at North Dakota State in 2014, and it was their first overtime win since 2023. The 97 points scored were the fourth-most in a road game during their Division I era. With the victory, Purdue Fort Wayne improved to 13-8 overall and 7-4 in Horizon League play, reclaiming second place. NKU, meanwhile, dropped to 10-13 and 7-5 in the conference. The Mastodons now look ahead to a home matchup against Robert Morris on January 27 at the Gates Sports Center.

Elsewhere in Indiana, the IU Indianapolis men’s basketball game against Purdue Fort Wayne, scheduled for Sunday, January 25, was postponed due to winter weather and unsafe travel conditions. Fans who purchased tickets are being advised to hold onto them until a reschedule date is announced. Both schools are working to find a suitable makeup date, a reminder that sometimes Mother Nature calls the shots, even in the thick of basketball season.

Meanwhile, anticipation is building for one of the most storied rivalries in women’s college basketball. The Purdue women’s basketball team is set to host Indiana in the Barn Burner Trophy game at Mackey Arena on Sunday, January 25, at noon. This isn’t just any game—it’s the 100th matchup between the two programs, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Boilermakers lead the all-time series 55-44 and are looking to extend their dominance on home court.

Purdue enters the contest with a 10-9 overall record and 2-6 in Big Ten play, while Indiana sits at 11-9 and is still seeking its first conference win at 0-8. The Boilermakers are coming off a six-day road trip to USC and UCLA, with freshman Avery Gordon shining by scoring a career-high 13 points against the Bruins. Purdue’s offense has been clicking at home, averaging nearly 80 points per game and holding opponents to just 62.

There are plenty of individual milestones to watch. Madison Layden-Zay is on the brink of joining Caitlin Clark as one of the only Big Ten players with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, 200 steals, 200 three-pointers, and 50 blocks in a career. Tara Daye, the team’s scoring and rebounding leader, is riding a six-game double-figure streak and needs just nine points and nine rebounds to become the first Boilermaker since 2019-20 to post 250 points and 150 rebounds in a season. Nya Smith has also found her groove, averaging 10.2 points and shooting 47.4% from the field over the last five games.

Purdue has connected on 10 or more three-pointers in five games this season, winning all of them—a stat that bodes well for their chances if the shots fall on Sunday. Head coach Katie Gearlds, who was 7-1 against Indiana as a player, is one win shy of reaching 300 career victories. The rivalry’s intensity is matched only by its popularity, with an average attendance of 12,015 over the last eight meetings.

On the men’s side, Illinois and Purdue squared off in a high-stakes Big Ten showdown on Saturday, January 24. Illinois, ranked No. 11, entered with a 16-3 record (7-1 in conference), while No. 4 Purdue boasted a 17-2 mark (7-1 Big Ten). The Illini’s availability report included some surprises: forward David Mirkovic suffered an ankle injury in practice on Friday but participated in pregame warmups, making his status a game-time decision. Head coach Brad Underwood didn’t address Mirkovic or Jason Jakstys’s health in his media availability. Ty Rodgers (knee) and Kylan Boswell (broken hand) were both ruled out, with Boswell expected to return by mid-February. Mirkovic has been a key contributor, averaging 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game through 19 contests.

Both Illinois and Purdue were coming off notable games earlier in the week—Illinois beat Maryland 89-70, while Purdue suffered a narrow 69-67 defeat to UCLA. With both teams tied atop the Big Ten standings and rosters battling injuries, the matchup promised fireworks and potential implications for the conference race.

As the weekend unfolds, Indiana’s basketball scene is alive with storylines—some decided on the court, others left to weather or fate. Whether it’s the heroics of a freshman, the weight of a century-old rivalry, or the uncertainty of a postponed tip-off, fans are reminded why college basketball’s winter grind is so captivating. And with more games and milestones ahead, there’s no telling what drama tomorrow might bring.