NAU Goes From the West Coast to the East Coast to Face Norfolk State and Hampton
/ December 17, 2014
Game Notes
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona rides a two-game win streak to the east coast, with games at Norfolk State and Hampton. The Lumberjacks play the Spartans on Friday, December 19 at 5 p.m. AZ/ 7 p.m. ET, and then go to Hampton on Sunday, December 21 to face the Pirates at 2 p.m. AZ/ 4 p.m. ET.
The Lumberjacks are coming off a 73-71 victory at Saint Mary's (CA) on Tuesday. NAU scored four points in the four seconds to capture the win and stun the Gaels.
Friday and Sunday's games will not be televised, but fans can log on to www.nsuspartans.com and www.hamptonpirates.com for live video and live stats. Fans can listen to the game on HITS 106.1 FM, KNOT 100.9 FM & 1450 AM, and www.Hits106.gcmaz.com. Fans in the Phoenix area can tune into Money Radio 1510 AM & 99.3 FM. Mitch Strohman will be providing play-by-play.
Inside Northern Arizona
• Head coach Jack Murphy enters his third season at NAU with a 30-44 overall record and 20-20 Big Sky mark.
• NAU returns four of its top five scorers (Upshur, Aaseem Dixon, Kris Yanku and Gaellan Bewernick).
• Six different Lumberjacks have scored in double figures for NAU this season.
• Norfolk, Va. Native, Quinton Upshur leads NAU with 15.5 points per game, while Aaseem Dixon is averaging 12.8 ppg and Kris Yanku 11.4 ppg.
• Senior center Len Springs recorded 58 blocked shots last season to lead the Big Sky. It tied for the third-most in a single season by an NAU player. He currently has 18 so far this season.
• NAU is on a two-game win streak, dating back to Dec. 13.
• NAU had a 2013-14 home record of 9-4. The Lumberjacks are currently 2-1 at home and 1-5 on the road. NAU's last non-conference road win was on Nov. 28, 2014 versus Southern. NAU's last non-conference home win was on Dec. 13, 2014 in a 71-69 victory over Loyola Marymount.
Inside Norfolk State
• Series History - First Meeting
• Head coach Robert Jones is 26-20 in his second season with Norfolk State.
• The Spartans are 7-5. NSU is on a one-game win streak, but has won three of its last four.
• Norfolk State is 4-1 at home so far this season.
• Four players average double figures led by Jeff Short at 17.9 points per game. Short is also 44 of 51 from the free throw line for 86.3 percent.
• As a team the Spartans average 68.9 percent from the free throw line and 45.5 percent from the floor.
• Senior point guard Jamel Fuentes and junior forward RaShid Gaston were both named to the Preseason All-MEAC Second Team, while Norfolk State was picked to finish fourth in the league.
Inside Hampton
• Series History - First Meeting
• Head coach Edward Joyner, Jr is in his sixth season with the Pirates. Joyner entered the season with an overall record of 82-78.
• The Pirates are 4-5.
• Hampton is 2-1 at home so far this season, and will host Tennessee State on Friday night.
• Nine games in, HU is led by Quinton Chievous, who is averaging 12.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Dwight Meikle is right behind him at 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
• The Pirates were picked to finish second in the MEAC. Junior guard Deron Powers was named Preseason First Team All-MEAC, after averaging 11.8 points and 4.0 assists per game last season.
