TUCSON, Ariz. (November 6, 2019) – Sophomore
Cameron Shelton posted a career-best 17 points along with seven rebounds, but the Northern Arizona University men's basketball team came up on the short end of a 91-52 decision at No. 21/17 University of Arizona on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams at the McKale Center.
The game marked the first game for NAU head coach
Shane Burcar, who took over the reigns this season after serving as an assistant coach for the Lumberjacks last year.
"I am proud of our guys, there is no reason for us to have our heads down," Burcar said. "We came out and played well early, but the game got away from us in the backend of the first half. It was a great first game for us against a nationally-ranked opponent."
The Lumberjacks matched the Wildcats intensity in the early going as they stayed within a possession of Arizona until the 9:34 mark of the first half, when trailing 14-11. Arizona then posted its first of two big runs to close out the opening half with a 15-3 spurt that widened its lead to 29-14 with 7:16 remaining before the break.
Another 11-0 flurry over a nearly four-minute stretch late in the first half pushed the lead past 20 and sent the Lumberjacks into the locker room facing a 44-22 deficit. The Wildcats held NAU without a point for a total of 4:01 during the run.
The Wildcats utilized three shots from beyond the arc in the opening to up the margin to 67-35 midway through the second half and were aided by NAU failing to connect on a field goal for a span of over four minutes.
Shelton paced the 'Jacks with 17 points and seven rebounds while freshman
Isaiah Lewis notched 13 points and six rebounds while shooting 6-of-11 from the field in his first-ever collegiate action. Senior
Brooks DeBisschop pulled down eight rebounds and handed out three assists.
"It was a good first game and a good introduction to college basketball," Lewis said. "There was great energy from the team overall but we have to get better all around. We have to get back in the lab and come out better for the next one."
Turnovers plagued the Lumberjacks in the loss as they finished with 19 miscues and saw Arizona win the points off turnovers battle 29-4. The Wildcats also outscored NAU in the paint 42-14 and used it transition game for a 29-1 edge on the fast break.
Arizona saw a total of four players finish with double-figure points, including Zeke Nnaji who was a nuisance for the 'Jacks all game totaling a game-high 20 points, while making 9-of-12 shots from the field. Stone Gettings notched 13 while Josh Green and Dylan Smith each added 10.
The Lumberjacks will return to action with the home opener on Friday, Nov. 15 in a 6 p.m. MST tip vs. SAGU American Indian College at the Rolle Activity Center.
