Historic Night for Eason Leads Huskies to Bible College NIT Title Game

Lake Zurich, IL – February 13, 2026 – Word of Life rode a historic night from Xander Eason and a blistering team shooting performance to outlast Dayspring Bible College 107–99 on Friday evening in Illinois.

Back-and-forth offensive showcase

The Huskies led 46–39 at the half after a high-paced opening 20 minutes that featured efficient shooting from both sides. The second half turned into a shootout, with Word of Life pouring in 61 points after the break while fending off multiple Dayspring runs to secure the eight-point road win.

Eason erupts for 50

Eason turned in a Huskies record-breaking performance, exploding for 50 points on 17-of-30 shooting, including 9-of-18 from three and 7-of-8 at the line in 38 minutes. He also added 6 assists and 4 rebounds, repeatedly hitting deep threes and key buckets to answer Dayspring's momentum swings. Eason's 50 points are the most scored in a single game in Huskies Basketball history!

Balanced support around the star

Four other Huskies scored at least 10 points as the offense clicked across the lineup. Dan Morales finished with 13 points and 6 rebounds, Harry Keegan posted 11 points and a game-high 13 boards, and Austin Hartwell added 10 points with a pair of threes, while reserves Ross Wilkins (7 points) and Trey Robinson (4 points) provided timely scoring off the bench.

Efficiency and work on the glass

Word of Life shot 50.7 percent from the field, 44.7 percent from beyond the arc (17-of-38), and 72.0 percent at the stripe to keep the scoreboard moving all night. The Huskies also owned a 38–26 rebounding edge, highlighted by 10 offensive boards—five of them from Keegan—to create extra possessions in a game where every trip mattered.

Answering Dayspring's big three

Dayspring stayed within striking distance behind 28 points from forward Randy Blanfort, 27 from Daniel Adams, and 20 from Enrico Joseph, as the hosts shot 50.8 percent from the floor and 55.0 percent from three (11-of-20). Word of Life limited Dayspring to just two offensive rebounds and forced 12 turnovers, just enough defensive resistance to complement its explosive offense and close out the road victory.

The Huskies will be competing for the Bible College NIT Championship Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 5:00 P.M (EST) against Patrick Henry College (VA).