FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 12, 2019) – Southern Utah's 12-2 run to close the game derailed the Northern Arizona women's basketball team on Saturday with the Lumberjacks suffering a tough 82-76 overtime loss in the Walkup Skydome. NAU's second consecutive loss dropped its record to 5-9 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
"The difference in the game were our turnovers and our lack of boxing out," said head coach
Loree Payne. "We gave up 15 offensive boards and way too many second chance opportunities. We couldn't take care of the ball and we made some critical turnovers down the stretch that really hurt us. When we get back on track, we need to make sure we get back to basics of taking care of the ball and valuing each possession."
NAU erased a nine-point fourth quarter deficit, but could not secure the victory in regulation despite holding a two-point lead with under a minute remaining. Senior
Kaleigh Paplow, who notched a season-best 26 points, powered her way to the rim for the go-ahead basket with 1:22 left in the fourth quarter.
The Lumberjacks maintained that 67-65 edge, but the Thunderbirds turned a steal off a Lumberjack inbound into a tying layup with 25.1 seconds remaining. After a timeout to advance the ball, NAU held for the final shot but Paplow's potential game-winner was off the mark.
Redshirt sophomore Caitlin Malver drilled a three-pointer to open the overtime scoring and NAU twice held leads of four points in the extra period. The last came at 74-70 with 2:31 to play following a pair of free throws by Paplow. However, Southern Utah immediately tied the game on the following possession before proceeding to hit two three-pointers to put the visitors up 78-74 with under a minute left.
In all, Southern Utah ran off 10 straight points until Paplow snapped the run with a layup. Four of NAU's 22 turnovers in the final two minutes of the game wound up hampering the Lumberjacks' chances to take two of three games on their homestand.
Paplow finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds marking her third double-double of the season. Paplow's 26 points marked an NAU season-best and brought her within 13 of the 1,000 career plateau. She finished 9-for-18 from the field and a career-best 8-for-8 at the line, while also recording five assists and three steals.
Sophomore
Khiarica Rasheed also tallied a double-double performance with 17 points and a season-best 10 boards. It was the first time this season that NAU had a pair of players with double-doubles in the same game. Malvar tied a season-high with four treys, knocking down 4-of-6 from deep, on her way to 12 points. Malvar also notched five assists.
NAU shot 45.2 percent after halftime and finished shooting 42.4 percent for the game. While Southern Utah only shot 39.2 percent, the Thunderbirds shot 38.9 percent from behind the arc. The Thunderbirds' three-point percentage was the best an opponent has shot against the 'Jacks this season.
Turnovers also played a huge role in the game as NAU's 22 were just one shy of its season-worst. Southern Utah was plus-eight in the category and as a result, outscored NAU 19-9 in points off turnovers, including 8-0 in the overtime period.
Southern Utah led by 11 in the first quarter, but NAU scored the final five points to cut the Thunderbirds' lead to 18-12 heading into the second period. NAU's defense clamped down on Southern Utah in the second quarter, eventually allowing the 'Jacks to take a 26-25 advantage into halftime.
After the Thunderbirds shot 50 percent in the first period, they made just 2-of-16 from the floor in the second quarter. NAU used a 12-0 run, which included a pair of three-point plays by junior
Peyton Carroll and Paplow, to snag a 24-20 lead while the Lumberjacks held the Thunderbirds scoreless for nearly six minutes.
NAU was unable to extend its lead in the third quarter and actually fell victim to an 11-4 Southern Utah quarter-ending run to head into the fourth period down 48-42. The 'Jacks trailed 56-47 with 6:47 left in the fourth quarter before NAU surged ahead.
NAU scored on three straight possessions over a 90-second span to climb within one, 56-55. Malvar evened the score at 61-61 with a three-pointer and after an NAU defensive stop, redshirt sophomore
Jacey Bailey went coast-to-coast for a go-ahead layup with 2:39 on the clock. Paplow scored NAU's next two buckets, the last which had the 'Jacks in front in the final minute before overtime.
Paplow and Rasheed, along with Carroll's season-high seven boards, helped NAU outrebound Southern Utah, 45-43, although the Thunderbirds pulled down 15 rebounds on the offensive end. Still, NAU has now outrebounded its opponents in four straight games.
The Lumberjacks will head on the road for four straight games over the next two weeks starting with a swing to Sacramento State and Portland State next Thursday and Saturday respectively.
