The Belvidere North Blue Thunder basketball team (Belvidere, IL), was nudged 49-46 in Saturday's non-league battle with the host East Moline United Panthers (East Moline, IL)

The Panthers now sport a 10-3 record. They put it on the line next when they host Peoria for a non-league battle on Tuesday, January 2. East Moline United will battle a Lions team coming off a 73-63 non-league loss to Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield, IL). The Lions record now stands at 7-7.

The Blue Thunder (12-4) will now prepare for their battle against Guilford (Rockford, IL). The Vikings come into the Northern Illinois 10 battle with a 11-3 record. In their last battle, Guilford was nudged by Lincoln Park (Chicago, IL), 68-57, in a non-league battle.