Lumberjacks Set for Matchups Versus Idaho and Eastern Washington

/ February 17, 2015

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – This week's schedule pairs Northern Arizona versus the University of Idaho and Eastern Washington. The teams only compete against each other once this season, as the Lumberjacks get to host both squads at home. Tip-off on Thursday against the Vandals is set for 6:35 p.m., while NAU and Eastern Washington are slated for a 2:05 p.m. tip on Saturday.

The Lumberjacks (13-12, 8-4 BSC) return home after splitting last week on the road at Idaho State and Weber State. NAU is on a two-game win streak at home, as it host the University of Idaho (11-12, 6-6 Big Sky) at home for the first time since February 22, 1996. The Vandals are league's best three-point shooting time, while NAU is the best in the conference at defending the three-point shot. This will be a top matchup to see who will prevail when it comes to the long range shot.

Saturday's game invites the Eagles back to Flagstaff. The last time NAU and Eastern Washington (19-6, 10-2 Big Sky) played at home, the Lumberjacks won 84-65, snapping a four-game losing streak to the Eagles. Eastern Washington enters the week with only two league losses (Sacramento State and Portland State) and a first-place conference standing.

When examining Big Sky only stats, the 'Jacks lead the league in rebounding margin (+7.4), rebounding offense (37.9), offensive rebounds (11.6), defensive rebounding percentage (.798), offensive rebounding percentage (.327) and defensive rebounds (26.3). Jordyn Martin is fifth in rebounding (7.2) and Kris Yanku is 12th with 5.9. Yanku is fourth in defensive rebounds (5.2), Martin is third in offensive rebounds with 2.8 and Len Springs is fifth with 2.4.

Thursday's game can be seen on FOX Sports AZ and FOX College Sports Central. Fans can download the Watch Big Sky app or log on to www.WatchBigSky.com or www.NAU-TV.com for live video of both games. Lumberjack 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, while Dave Brown will provide color commentary. Live stats can be found at www.NAU.Statbroadcast.com.

Thursday's Promotions

• Toga Night

• Halftime: Electric Jumpers / Series shot for a chance to win $24K towards a car

• 500 Snowbowl lift tickets for all fans

• Yowies to the first 1,000 students and free 6" Subway vouchers to the first 100 students

Saturday's Promotions

• Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day/Family Weekend Game/Native American Day

• Pom Pom Giveaway

• Halftime: Faculty and Staff Free Throw Challenge

• $5 Faculty and Staff Ticket/Family Winter Weekend Discount

• Postgame Autograph Session

Ways to purchase your tickets:

By Phone: Central Ticket Office, (928) 523-5661 or Toll Free: 1-888-520-7214
In Person: On campus at the University Union-(Bldg #30)
Online: Click Here to Purchase NAU Athletics Single Game Tickets
Game Day: Tickets can be purchased at the game location starting 90 minutes prior to tip-off (based on availability)
Acceptable forms of payment include: cash, check, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex), an ATM located inside the east entrance of the Skydome

Central Ticket Office Hours:

Monday-Friday: 10:00am-6:00pm*
Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Sunday: Closed

Northern Arizona Facts

• Head coach Jack Murphy enters his third season at NAU with a 39-50 overall record and 28-24 Big Sky mark.

• Quinton Upshur is averaging 22.5 points per game over his last four games.

• Senior forward Gaellan Bewernick is on pace to become NAU's all-time games played leader. He's played in 116 games. NAU has six regular season games left; the current record is 119.

• NAU had a 2013-14 home record of 9-4. The Lumberjacks are currently 7-2 at home and 6-10 on the road. NAU's last conference road win was on Feb. 14 2015, 61-54 at Weber State. NAU's last conference home win was on Feb. 7, 2015, 88-63 versus North Dakota.

Scouting Idaho

• Head coach Don Verlin is in his seventh season with the University of Idaho. Verlin carries a 109-108 overall record.

• Conner Hill was 8-for-9 from three-point range and scored 28 points in the Vandals win over Portland State last Thursday.

• Idaho is the second highest scoring team in the league at 77.2 points per game, but it's also allowing the most points per game at 75.0.

• Idaho returns to the Big Sky after an 18-year hiatus. NAU and the Vandals will only meet once this season.

• The Vandals were picked to finish seventh by the coaches and eighth by the media in the Big Sky Preseason polls.

• Idaho holds a 37-17 all-time edge over NAU. The last time the Lumberjacks and Vandals played was on February 22, 1996 when NAU won 79-69.

Scouting Eastern Washington

• Head coach Jim Hayford is in his fourth season with the Eagles. Hayford holds a 59-60 all-time record.

• Tyler Harvey, the nation's leading scorer, is back from injury and averaging 23.4 points per game.

• The Eagles were on a six-game winning streak before falling to Portland State at home on Saturday, 68-66.

• NAU and EWU split last season with each team winning on their home court. The Lumberjacks and Eagles will only matchup once this season.

• EWU finished last season 15-16, 10-10 in the Big Sky last season for seventh place.

• The Eagles were picked to finish second by the coaches and third by the media in the Big Sky Preseason polls.

• NAU holds a 35-27 all-time edge over EWU. The Lumberjacks are 21-8 over the Eagles in Flagstaff. The Eagles have won five out of the last six meetings, but NAU won the last matchup in Flagstaff, 84-65.

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