North Dakota didn’t need style points — it needed a win, and it got one. The Fighting Hawks outlasted Nebraska Omaha 76-73 on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2026, pushing their record to 14-12 and extending a strong stretch of form into the season’s final turn.

Nebraska Omaha fell to 12-13, a result that tightens the margin for error as the calendar flips deeper into February. With no overtime required, North Dakota did its damage in regulation and had enough late-game execution to keep Omaha from stealing it at the horn.

Game flow: one-possession pressure from start to finish

The final score told the story: this was a possession game. North Dakota’s 76 points were just enough to stay ahead of Omaha’s 73, with neither side able to fully break contact. In a matchup that lived in the margins, North Dakota’s ability to finish the job late was the separator.

Closing time: North Dakota answers every push

In games like this, the last few trips matter more than any early run. Omaha had the scoreboard within reach down the stretch, but North Dakota consistently found answers to preserve the lead and avoid the kind of late slip that flips close games. The Fighting Hawks’ composure in a tight finish was the defining trait of the night.

What it means going forward

For North Dakota, the win is another step forward in a season that’s now above .500 at 14-12, reinforcing the idea that its recent form is translating into results when the pressure rises. For Nebraska Omaha, now 12-13, the loss stings because games like these are often the difference between building momentum and chasing it — and the path gets narrower with each missed opportunity.

Next up

The teams move on from a tight, high-leverage finish with February urgency fully in effect. Venue information for this matchup was listed as TBD.