FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Nov. 10, 2018) – Five players finished with double-figure points to lead the Northern Arizona men's basketball team to a resounding 97-82 victory over Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon in the Lumberjacks' season opener at the Rolle Activity Center.
The Lumberjacks never trailed after the 12:08 mark of the first half as they cruised to their largest win in a season opener since defeating Southwestern College 113-61 on Nov. 19, 2010.
"Today was a good win, I am really proud of the how guys played," NAU head coach
Jack Murphy said. "Defensively we have a lot of things to clean up, but we put some points on the board and I was pleased with that. I am excited with how we played and I am looking forward to getting on the road now."
With the victory, the Lumberjacks open the season with a win for the first time besting UT-San Antonio by a 74-63 count on Nov. 9, 2013.
NAU led by as many as 32 points and trailed for only 3:01 of game time in a contest that featured three ties and three lead changes in the opening seven minutes of action. The 97 points marked the most for the Lumberjacks since a 103-point output vs. Arizona Christian on Nov. 18, 2011.
Newcomers led the way for the Lumberjacks in a victory that saw five players register double-figure points for the first time in a game since March 2, 2017 vs. Idaho. Sophomore
Bernie Andre posted a double-double in his first game at NAU with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while shooting 8-of-13 overall to lead all scorers.
"Regardless of where you put me on the floor, I am going to do what I have to do," Andre said. "Rebounds is something that I take pride in because I like to get a rebound, push the ball and make plays."
Freshman
Cameron Shelton added 15 points, while shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line, along with four assists. Junior
Ted McCree notched 14 and sophomore
Carlos Hines recorded 10. In addition, redshirt freshman
Luke Avdalovic connected off 3-of-4 three pointers off the bench in finishing with nine points.
For the game, the 'Jacks shot 48.6 percent from the field (36-of-74) and committed only 11 turnovers, while forcing 17 en route to winning the points off turnover battle 24-14.
Jacksonville was led in defeat by Jace Hogan who shot 7-of-11 from the field while tallying 17 points.
Saturday's game marked the first time that the Lumberjacks have opened a season at home since the 2010-11 season and the win allowed both NAU's men's and women's basketball team to open the season 1-0 for the first time since 2007-08.
NAU returns to action on Monday, Nov. 12 when it opens a stretch of five straight road games at South Dakota in a 6 p.m. MST tip that will be aired on the Lumberjack Radio Network and ESPN+.
