FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Jan. 17, 2019) – The Northern Arizona men's basketball erased an 18-point deficit in the first half, and held the lead as late as 8:15 left in regulation, before eventually falling by a 66-64 margin to Sacramento State on Thursday night at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome.
The Hornets (7-7, 1-4 Big Sky) opened the game hot as they ran out to an early 22-4 lead just 10 minutes into the contest before the Lumberjacks fought back to deadlock the game at 43-43 with 13:20 remaining in the second half.
Junior
Ted McCree gave the 'Jacks their first lead shortly after on a three-point shot that capped a 12-0 spurt that put NAU ahead 46-43 with just over 12 minutes left.
The teams traded barbs for the rest of regulation as the contest which saw the score tied on four separate occasions from that point. The Hornets reclaimed the lead at 53-52 with seven minutes left and held on to the advantage until the 'Jacks knotted the score at 64-64 following an 8-0 run. NAU junior
Davon Bolton was fouled on a layup attempt with just eight seconds left in the contest and had a chance to give the 'Jacks the lead but missed the second of his two free throw attempts, giving Sacramento State the chance for the final shot.
Sacramento State's Joshua Patton answered the bell for the Hornets as he backed down NAU in the paint and connected on a shot for the eventual game winner with just half a second left.
McCree led a total of four NAU players who finished with double-figure points with 14, which included a 4-of-5 clip from beyond the arc. Junior
Brooks DeBisschop was just shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine boards. Sophomore
Bernie Andre tabbed 13 and
Carlos Hines chipped in 12.
Sacramento State was paced in the win by Patton, who finished with 34 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the field. He also added 11 rebounds to cap off a double-double effort.
The Lumberjacks (4-12, 2-4 Big Sky) will continue their current homestand on Saturday, Jan. 19 vs. Portland State. Tip time is slated for 2 p.m. MST from the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff.
The 'Jacks-Vikings contest will be televised live on Your Phoenix CW and streamed on Pluto TV (Channel 239). It can also be heard on the Lumberjacks Radio Network beginning with the pregame show at 1:30 p.m. MST.
