FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 27, 2020) – With an opportunity to stun Montana on their home floor in the Walkup Skydome, the Northern Arizona men's basketball team did not let it slip away. Sophomore
Cameron Shelton's free throws with 2.2 seconds left on the clock pushed the Lumberjacks past the Grizzlies, 57-56, and in the process snapped a 10-game losing streak to Montana going back nearly six years.
The Lumberjacks last defeated Montana on March 8, 2014. With the win, NAU upped its record to 16-11 and 10-8 in conference play heading into Saturday's Senior Day showdown with Montana State.
"Something like tonight is something that you reflect on at the end of the season," said interim head coach
Shane Burcar. "Let's be honest; nobody is going to forget tonight. I'll never forget tonight. The truth is we need to move on because Montana State is coming in and they're a very good basketball team."
"Everything that we've been preaching within our program, it came true tonight because Montana is a great basketball team," Burcar added. "Tonight says a lot about our team."
A Montana three-pointer with 3:33 remaining put the Grizzlies ahead, 56-49, but the winners of their last six did not score the rest of the game. Sophomore
Luke Avdalovic's only basket of the night was a big one as he followed with a three from the wing that started NAU's game-closing 8-0 run on the ensuing possession.
Shelton knocked down a pair of free throws to bring NAU within one, 56-55, with 2:11 on the clock and the two teams remained scoreless until the very end. Montana missed the front end of two one-and-ones – their only two free throws of the night – with the last immediately proceeding Shelton's game-winning free throws.
Shelton took the rebound and drove the length of the floor before he was fouled at the rim. After calmly hitting both freebies, the Grizzlies had one final attempt. However, Montana's three-quarter court inbound was intercepted by senior
Brooks DeBisschop as the final horn sounded.
"We felt like we owed them one," said junior
Bernie Andre. "Last year we lost to them at the buzzer at their place. Of course, they're at the top of the mountain in the conference as well and we're trying to fight to move up in the standings too."
Andre finished the game with a game-high 20 points on an efficient 9-for-12 shooting night. Shelton's last two free throws capped a 7-for-8 night at the charity stripe on his way to 15 points to go with nine rebounds, four assists and four steals. Junior
Cameron Satterwhite added 10 points off the bench.
NAU started the evening slowly by shooting just 34.6 percent in the first half. Yet, NAU trailed just 24-22 in large part by holding Montana's Sayeed Pridgett to zero points on one shot attempt prior to halftime. Pridgett, who came into the night averaging 19.6 points per game, was held to a season-low eight points.
The Grizzlies came out of halftime with an 11-4 run opening up a 35-26 lead. The 'Jacks answered with a 10-0 run, ignited by their first three of the game by Satterwhite, to take their first lead at 36-35 with 13 minutes remaining. Another Satterwhite triple gave the Lumberjacks their largest lead, 43-39, with 8:34 left.
Montana eventually used an 11-2 run to move in front by the 56-49 score, but came up empty on its final seven possessions of the game during NAU's game-clinching run.
NAU finished the game shooting 46.7 percent, and won despite Montana shooting 55.6 percent. The big difference came at the line where NAU made 12 free throws to none by Montana.
NAU outrebounded Montana, 26-22, and only allowed one offensive rebound. NAU also committed three fewer turnovers than Montana.
"When we wake up tomorrow morning, it'll be over," Shelton said. "We have two huge games coming up and that needs to be our focused. Any great team would tell you that. We enjoy the win for tonight and then we hit it hard in the morning."
The Lumberjacks will celebrate Senior Day in their home finale on Saturday versus Montana State at 4 p.m. in the Walkup Skydome. DeBisschop and senior
Chris Bowling will be recognized prior to their final home games as a Lumberjack.
