FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 30, 2020) – The Northern Arizona men's basketball team continues their homestand on Saturday in the Rolle Activity Center at 2 p.m. versus Idaho before they return to the Walkup Skydome for a Monday night 6 p.m. tip-off versus Eastern Washington.
Both of this week's games will be streamed on Pluto TV Channel 539 and can be heard on the Lumberjack Radio Network with the Voice of the Lumberjacks
Mitch Strohman on the call. Strohman will be joined by Ryan Peretti on the broadcast for Monday's meeting versus the Eagles.
NAU is seeking its first five-game winning streak since the 2010-11 season when the Lumberjacks won seven in a row from Nov. 16-Dec. 8, 2010.
The Lumberjacks, now 11-7 overall and 5-4 in conference play, have already surpassed their win total from a season ago following a pair of wins against Portland State, 84-82, and Sacramento State, 69-54, to open the homestand. Entering the week, NAU is just one win out of second-place Eastern Washington – its next opponent on Monday – and the 'Jacks are one of four teams with five league wins.
Junior
Bernie Andre, the reigning Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, and sophomore
Luke Avdalovic have been key in NAU's current four-game winning streak. Andre is nearly averaging a double-double with 15.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, while Avdalovic is averaging 14.0 points and shooting 57.1 percent from the deck.
NAU has been effective behind the arc, shooting 39.4 percent from long distance during its winning streak. For the season, NAU is first in the conference in three-point shooting in all games (.384) and in conference games (.392). The Lumberjacks have five players shooting 38 percent or better from behind the arc in conference play.
Senior
Brooks DeBisschop is a single rebound away from tying Casey Frank for 10th in program history in career rebounds. With 10 rebounds, DeBisschop would move into sole possession of ninth all-time passing James Plump as well.
DeBisschop leads the 'Jacks in scoring (14.0) in conference play, while sophomore
Cameron Shelton is NAU's leading scorer overall at 12.9 points per game.
NAU and Idaho will meet for the 64th time on Saturday. The Lumberjacks won both meetings a season ago, 86-73, on the road and 75-54 at home.
Idaho leads the all-time series 42-21 and the Vandals won four straight meetings before NAU swept the season series a year ago. Since Idaho rejoined the Big Sky Conference prior to the 2014-15 season, the Vandals have won five of the nine matchups on the court.
In Flagstaff, Idaho holds the slight 16-15 all-time edge. NAU's victory last season was its fourth in the last six meetings on the Lumberjacks' floor.
NAU and Eastern Washington will meet for the 72nd time on Monday. Eastern Washington swept the season series last year winning 82-64 at home and knocking off the Lumberjacks, 86-73, in Flagstaff.
NAU leads the all-time series 37-34, but Eastern Washington has won the last four meetings over the last two seasons. Going back to the 2015-16 season, the Eagles have won eight of the last nine matchups.
The Lumberjacks hold a significant advantage on their home floor, winning 23 of 34 all-time meetings in Flagstaff.
Fans can purchase season and single game tickets for the 2019-20 NAU men's basketball season online at
nauathletics.com/tickets or by calling the Lumberjack Ticket Office at 928-523-0639.
