FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona women's basketball continues its road trip in Montana with a matchup against Montana State on Thursday, January 28. The game is set for a 7:05 p.m. tip-off in Worthington Arena.

“We have been successful there,” said head coach Laurie Kelly of the team's recent trips to Montana State. The Lumberjacks are 4-1 against the Bobcats in Bozeman, Mont., over the last five seasons.

“There are a lot of teams at 2-4 in the Big Sky Conference right now,” said Kelly of the four times tied for fifth place in the league including NAU and Montana State. “This is a great challenge and a big game. We can't look back and need to look ahead.”

NAU (4-15, 2-4 BSC) dropped its last game at Sacramento State, 77-66, despite freshman guard Amy Patton's 31 points and 17 rebounds. Patton turned in the Big Sky's season-high in rebounds and second-highest scoring mark this year in that game.

Montana State (9-10, 2-4 BSC) is two games into a four-game home stand recording a win over Sacramento State, 95-86, and a loss on Saturday to Montana, 76-67.

“I think we matchup well,” Kelly said. “For us defense is a huge key. They try to spread you out so we need to control dribble penetration and stay out of foul trouble.”

NAU will play Montana (9-9, 4-2 BSC) on Saturday, January 30 at 7:05 p.m. in Missoula, Mont., completing the Lumberjacks' recent three-game road trip.