FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Southern Utah closed the game on a 6-0 run and stole away a potential victory from the Northern Arizona women's basketball team on Saturday, snagging a 60-57 win to drop NAU's record to 4-12 and 1-4 in the Big Sky. Redshirt senior Kenna McDavis' game-tying three as time expired could not find the bottom of the net, providing a difficult conclusion to a spirited fourth-quarter effort by the 'Jacks.
 
Freshman Kaprice Boston, in her first career start, drilled a corner three with 2:29 remaining to snap a 54-54 tie and thrust NAU in front for the first time since the opening quarter. However, two consecutive turnovers led to four Thunderbird points. Another Lumberjack turnover with under 20 seconds to play forced NAU to foul, where Southern Utah converted on two free throws to make it a 60-57 game. McDavis could not connect on the equalizer though in front of the NAU bench.
 
The final two minutes of the game spoiled an NAU effort that a 12-point third quarter deficit. With her team trailing by six heading into the final period, redshirt senior Olivia Lucero – who finished with 17 points – capped a quick 6-0 run to tie the game at 49-49 at the 8:14 mark. Junior Kaleigh Paplow would later answer with a trey immediately after the Thunderbirds knocked down one from long distance on their end to bring the game even at 54-54 midway through the fourth. The score remained that way for more than two minutes until Boston momentarily put the 'Jacks ahead.
 
Lucero was an efficient 7-for-11 from the field and was perfect on three free throw attempts to log her team-high total. Paplow, although she struggled with her shot, collected her fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and a season-best 12 boards. She also led the team with five assists.
 
NAU shot 60 percent in the fourth quarter to boost its overall field goal percentage to 39.7 percent. The Lumberjacks held the Thunderbirds to 34.9 percent shooting, but the Thunderbirds made the most of their extra opportunities on the offensive end. Southern Utah secured 18 offensive rebounds and turned them into 15 second chance points. NAU was minus-seven in that category and was outrebounded for the game, 42-39.
 
Another slow start hurt NAU from the onset as the 'Jacks made only 5-of-15 from the floor in the first quarter. After NAU took a 10-9 lead on a McDavis layup, Southern Utah closed the quarter on a 9-2 run to hold an 18-12 lead at the end of one. The Lumberjacks regained their footing late in the second quarter though and used a mini 6-1 run to only trail 31-27 at the break.
 
The Thunderbirds scored the first six points of the second half to take their double-digit lead at 37-27 and they led by as much as a dozen with four minutes left in the third quarter. Five straight points from Lucero sparked a 10-4 Lumberjack run over the final 2:43 to cut their deficit in half heading into the fourth.
 
McDavis just missed a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Boston added seven point. Sophomore Peyton Carroll recorded six points and four rebounds off the bench.
 
NAU heads out on the road next week, starting with Eastern Washington next Thursday at 7 p.m. MST. The Lumberjacks will also play at Idaho next Saturday before returning home.