FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona (3-18, 1-9 BSC) outscores Eastern Washington (12-10, 6-4 BSC) in the second half, but the Eagles hang on for an 84-73 win tonight at the Walkup Skydome. After trailing by as many as 25 points in the second half, the Lumberjacks came to within 10 points down the stretch falling at home to the Eagles.

"I thought our offensive execution was good to start off but we have to finish our shots; especially the layups," said head coach Jack Murphy. "We need to put together a 40-minute ball game. That's how we will come out on top. There are some positives to take away from tonight and we have to translate those things into a win."

Both teams were able to score in the paint, but the difference in the first half was EWU's ability to hit seven three-pointers. The Eagles' 21 points from behind the arc led to a 41-27 advantage going into the locker room.

Coming out of halftime the Eagles stepped inside the line to get their points, while the Lumberjacks were able to defend the three a little better. Mike Green got hot for NAU in the second half finishing with 20 points, after having tallied just five in the first half.

Green may have boosted the NAU offense to start the second half, but he had a lot of help from Marcus DeBerry, Torry Johnson, and Ako Kaluna. DeBerry knocked down three triples tonight to calculate 16 points, while Kaluna used his inside game to record 13 points and eight rebounds. Johnson went 4-for-7 from the floor to tally 11 points.   

The Achilles heel for NAU once again was its performance at the free throw line. It made 14 of 24, while EWU went 23 of 37 from the charity stripe. The Eagles hit 13 triples compared to NAU's five, and when you add that to nine more made free throws that sums up how EWU came away with the victory.

EWU's offense was powered by Austin McBroom. The guard scored a game-high 28 points, including going 10 of 12 from the free throw line. Bogdan Bliznyuk registered a double-double of 22 points and 10 boards, while Venky Jois added a double-double of his own with 14 points and 11 rebounds.    

NAU will continue home play on Saturday when it hosts Idaho at 2 p.m. at the Walkup Skydome.

Notes: Green registered his fourth straight double figure scoring game and sixth overall…Ako Kaluna recorded his 15^th registered double digit scoring game, Torry Johnson his ninth and Marcus DeBerry his seventh…Kris Yanku snapped a 15-game double figure scoring streak finishing with two points…NAU trailed by as 25 points with 13:18 remaining in the game…