WEEKLY RELEASE (PDF)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona women's basketball team plays this week against Montana and Montana State at the Rolle Activity Center at 6:35 p.m.  The games can be seen live on NAU's Universityhouse channel with the Montana game live on Fox Sports Arizona as well.  Both games can be heard on 105.1 FM The Big Talker or www.bigtalkerradio.com and seen on www.bigskytv.org.

NAU (6-9, 1-1 BSC) split its opening weekend of Big Sky Conference play with a win over Weber State and a loss to Idaho State.  The women beat Weber State, 69-62, and fell to Idaho State, 64-54.

This week, the Lumberjacks host Montana on Thursday, Jan. 13 and Montana State on Saturday, Jan. 15.  Montana is 6-9 on the year and 1-1 in the conference.  Montana State sits in first place after a 2-0 week to open the year.  The Bobcats are 8-8 on the season.

"They are must wins for us," said head coach Laurie Kelly about this week's games.  "Our goal right now is to be the top team in the Big Sky.  We feel like we have the talent and depth to do that.  Everyone talks about how critical it is to win all your games at home.  This is our conference home opener coming off a good road win for us."

The Lumberjacks were 1-3 last year against the Montana schools.  The win came at Montana State, a 76-64 victory for NAU.

"We are continuing towards the goal of winning the league," Kelly said.  "Every home game is critical.  Montana is not having the seasons they had in the past.  They are coming in trying to steal one.  It should be a competitive game."

Thursday night's game is City of Flagstaff Night.  It will be a buy one get one free promotion for fans who show their ID with a Flagstaff address.  Saturday's game is Family Day.  Children will be admitted free with every adult purchase. 

DID YOU KNOW…Thirty-nine Northern Arizona University student-athletes participated in spring commencement ceremonies on the NAU campus and were commissioned degrees as part of the Class of 2010.