FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona women's basketball dropped its second straight Big Sky Conference matchup with a 60-53 defeat against Eastern Washington at the Rolle Activity Center on Thursday. 

"I was disappointed with our overall effort," said head coach Laurie Kelly.  "We got down to Montana and down to Montana State.  One of our goals was to come out and get a lead.  To come out and get a good start was a huge factor for us.  That did not happen."

It took NAU (7-11, 2-3 BSC) over eight minutes to convert their first field goal of the game and trailed Eastern Washington 19-2 at the 12 minute mark.  The Lumberjacks chipped away at the lead and found themselves down just three points at the half after freshman Trinidee Trice's score at the buzzer.

The women took their first lead of the game, 30-28, at the 18 minute mark and went up one with 12 minutes to play, but Eastern Washington put together a 9-0 run over the next two minutes then held its lead for the remainder of the game.

"Rebounding the ball is something we struggle with and talk about every single day," Kelly said.  "We need to battle more.  On offense, we need to crash harder so the defense can learn to keep their kids off the boards.  We got crushed on the glass."

The Lumberjacks were outrebounded 45-32 and 19-12 on the offensive end.  Trice led NAU with eight rebounds off the bench.  She also finished with 13 points on 6-of-10 from the field.

NAU shot 34 percent from the field as a team and 56 percent from the free throw line.

"We need to play better team basketball," said Kelly. "Every possession down we want to work the ball and give someone the best shot possible.  We just want a good look every time we come down the court regardless of who is taking the shot.  Also, we cannot continue to give away the opportunities we are getting from the line.  Rebounding and free throw shooting is something we have to improve." 

Amy Patton finished as the game's top scorer with 20 points.  Trice rounded out the Lumberjacks' double digit scorers.  Eastern Washington produced three players in double figures led by Brianne Ryan's 18 points.

The Lumberjacks play again on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 6:05 p.m. against Portland State.

DID YOU KNOW…Track and field's David McNeill and soccer's Kristi Andreassen were chosen for the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America® squads in 2010. Overall, five student-athletes were honored on the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District teams in 2008-09 and 2009-10.