FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona men's basketball team faced off against Idaho for the first time since 1996 and the Lumberjacks went on an 8-0 run to end the game to defeat the Vandals 72-65 at the Walkup Skydome.

"Idaho is one of the better teams we have played all year," said head coach Jack Murphy. "They are a well-coached team so I am proud that our guys came back. They really handed it to us early in the second half and I give my coaching staff credit because they got us prepared for this game."

The Lumberjacks (14-12, 9-4 Big Sky) started the game on a 7-0 run taking the early lead and hold on all the way through the first half. Northern Arizona was stingy on defense as the Vandals shot just 23 percent from the field midway through the first.  Yanku led the charge for the Lumberjacks in the first 20 minutes of play with 13 points, three rebounds and three assists as NAU went into halftime with a 38-29 edge. It was the most points NAU has scored in a first half since Feb. 7 against North Dakota.

The Vandals (11-13, 6-7 Big Sky) made a run of their own to open the second half with an 11-7 run in the first six minutes. The Vandals took their first lead of the game, 46-45, when Connor Hill made three free-throws at the 12:37 mark.

Idaho held the lead for six minutes and five seconds until NAU reclaimed it at the 6:32 mark off a layup plus the foul from Ako Kaluna to put NAU up 61-58. Idaho fought back and with 2:16 left to play, a layup from Sekou Wiggs put the Vandals up 65-54. NAU responded on the next possession with a three-pointer from Upshur as the 'Jacks went up 67-65. Kaluna extended the lead to four with a hook shot with a minute left.

The Lumberjacks dug deep and held on for the seven-point victory. Four players scored in double digits for NAU, led by Yanku's 22 points, five rebounds and six assists. Kaluna chipped in 18 points, while Upshur registered 14 and Jordyn Martin had 10.

"I've been having some sluggish games lately but my coaches told me to be more aggressive," said Kaluna. "The bench tonight was very supportive of the players on the floor letting us know not to give up and keep going. It was a good win for us."

Idaho was led by Connor Hill who netted 20 points and pulled down five boards. Mike Scott added 11 points. As a team, the Vandals shot 39 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three-point range.

The Lumberjacks will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 21, when conference leader Eastern Washington comes into town. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. in the Walkup Skydome.

Notes: Double figure scoring games: Quinton Upshur (22), Kris Yanku (19), Ako Kaluna (11), Jordyn Martin (5)...NAU held the leagues' top three-point shooting team to six made treys...Tonight was the first time NAU and Idaho played each other since 1996.