FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Dec. 28, 2017) – Sophomore
JoJo Anderson scored a career-high 31 points and connected on the second-most free throws in program history to lead the Northern Arizona University men's basketball team in an 87-69 loss to Montana on Thursday night in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff.
Anderson's 31 points marked the second time in the last four games he has posted a career-best scoring effort and the third time over the last four contests that he has registered at least 26 in the scoring column. He has now tallied double-figure points in 10 of the last 12 games overall.
The sophomore guard made 17-of-19 attempts from the free throw line in the loss. The 17 connections tied for the second-most in program history, matching Mark Champagne (1970-71 vs. Southern Colorado) and Wayne See (1948-49 vs. Arizona State), who also accomplished the feat.
The 19 attempts also earned Anderson a spot in the 'Jacks single-game annals, as they represented the third-most in NAU history, tying Bill Lewis, who also had 19 shots from the charity stripe in 1952-53 vs. Arizona.
"We are playing JoJo (Anderson) a lot of minutes and his scoring is something that we have needed. Our scoring as a team has ticked up because of JoJo," NAU head coach
Jack Murphy said. "Teams have had to compensate for him and he does a great job of attacking the paint, getting to the rim and the foul line. Not only does he get there, but he makes them."
The game itself saw the Lumberjacks struggle, especially in the first half, as it shot just 32.7 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and had to endure a stretch of 7:03 late in the opening half where it failed to connect on a single field goal, allowing Montana to take a 42-30 advantage into intermission.
"You have to give Montana a ton of credit, they came in here and took it to us. They were physical from the get out," Murphy said. "For us, we need to make layups. We were around the rim. I think we were 5-of-20 in the first half and even had a couple in the second half that we needed to convert on. Like I said, give Montana credit for protecting the rim but we need to do a better job of finishing plays."
The Grizzlies took advantage in the paint throughout the contest as they outscored NAU 38-12 in the lane and capitalized on 19 Lumberjacks' turnovers by converting them into 27 points.
Jamar Akoh led a total of four Montana players who recorded double-figure points with 23 while also pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds. Ahmaad Rorie added 22, Michael Oguine added 13 and Sayeed Pridgett finished with 10.
Junior
Isaiah Thomas paced the 'Jacks defensively as he swatted away a career-high five shots. Thomas has totaled nine blocks over the past two games after notching six in the previous 12 contests.
The Lumberjacks will conclude their current two-game homestand to open the Big Sky Conference schedule on Saturday, Dec. 30 against Montana State in a 5 p.m. MST tipoff at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome.
The 'Jacks-Bobcats game will be televised live on Phoenix's CW6 and also on the Lumberjack Radio Network beginning with the pregame show at 4:30 p.m.
