FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Feb. 24, 2018) – Junior
Torry Johnson scored a game-high 15 points to lead a trio of Lumberjacks who tallied double-figures but it wasn't enough to overcome a 46-32 deficit in the rebounding column as the Northern Arizona men's basketball team dropped a 72-66 decision in its regular-season home finale to Portland State on Saturday night.
The Vikings used their advantage on the glass to turn 16 offensive rebounds, 11 of which came in the second half, into a 17-5 edge in second-chance points which helped Portland State post 48 points in the second half to keep the 'Jacks just out of reach of claiming the lead.
"It comes down to second-chance points and rebounding," NAU head coach
Jack Murphy said. "That was the difference in the game and it was unfortunate and disappointing."
NAU got to within one point at 38-37 with 11:11 left in regulation, but Portland State answered with a 9-0 spurt over the next 2:07 to open up a 10-point edge and the 'Jacks would get no closer than four points for the remainder of the contest.
The game was a tale of two halves as the teams combined to make just 17 field goals in a first half that saw neither team shot better than 29 percent before following with a combined 91 points in the final 20 minutes on 45 makes.
Joining Johnson in double-figure points for NAU was
Karl Harris and
JoJo Anderson, who each registered 13. Holland Woods and Deante Strickland each posted 12 to lead Portland State. Brandon Hollands added 12 rebounds in the win.
The Lumberjacks played the game without the services of two starters as
Gino Littles (knee) and
Chris Bowling (flu) were unavailable to see action.
The loss drops the 'Jacks overall record to 5-24 overall and 2-14 in Big Sky action. Portland State improves to 18-11 and evens its mark to 8-8 in league play.
The game marked NAU's annual Senior Night game as featured a pregame ceremony that honored the three members of the Lumberjacks' 2018 senior class that includes Littles,
Kye de Laveaga and
Ruben Fuamba.
The Lumberjacks return to the road next week for the final two games of the regular season. Northern Arizona will travel to face the University of Idaho on Thursday, March 1. The game is slated for an 8 p.m. MST tip from the Cowan Spectrum in Moscow.
The 'Jacks-Vandals contest will be aired on the Lumberjack Radio Network beginning with the pregame show at 7:30 p.m. MST and streamed on PlutoTV (channel 242).
