Lumberjacks Struggle in 73-56 Loss to Cal State Fullerton

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 24, 2021) – Cal State Fullerton opened the second half with a 15-0 run and the Northern Arizona men's basketball team would not recover as the Titans handed the Lumberjacks a 73-56 loss in the Rolle Activity Center on Wednesday.
 
"Nothing is going to break us," said head coach Shane Burcar. "Fullerton is a very good team. The message I wanted to get through to the guys is that we have to perform. When I say that, I'm the guy looking in the mirror. This is on me and we'll figure it out. We have a bunch of great guys in the locker room and they'll take accountability. We understand we have work to do."
 
The loss was the Lumberjacks' second straight, falling to 3-4 heading into next week's conference opener. Meanwhile, the Titans evened their record to 3-3.
 
Despite never leading in the game and ultimately the final margin, the game was within reach in the first half. The Lumberjacks trailed by as much as 11 before making a push. A 7-0 run started by a three-pointer by redshirt sophomore Keith Haymon and capped by a dunk from freshman Wynton Brown pulled NAU within 29-28 with 3:31 remaining before halftime.
 
After redshirt freshman Carson Towt knocked down a pair of free throws, the 'Jacks went into the final minute of the first half down just 34-30 before the Titans' Tray Maddox Jr. – who led all scorers with 14 points – beat the buzzer with a triple.
 
The seven-point 37-30 halftime deficit was close as the Lumberjacks would get as 15 straight Titan points out of the locker room extended their lead to 52-30. A three-point play by redshirt sophomore Ezekiel Richards finally snapped NAU's scoring drought at the 14:00 mark, but the 'Jacks would go scoreless yet again for another five minutes before junior Spencer Roberts put in his first basket of the game.
 
Roberts, who played just 10 minutes off the bench, was efficient and effective, scoring all 11 of his points in the second half. Roberts, who tied for the team-high lead with sophomore Jalen Cone, was 4-of-5 from the field and 3-of-4 at the free throw line.
 
Other than Roberts and Cone, the only other Lumberjack to score more than five points was Haymon, who hit 3-of-7 behind the arc to net nine points.
 
NAU shot just 36.2 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from three-point range, while Cal State Fullerton shot an even 50 percent overall. The Titans held the slim 32-31 rebounding advantage and made the most of 14 Lumberjack turnovers, outscoring NAU by a 15-5 margin off miscues.
 
"We were so close to winning the other night, which would have put us at 4-2 coming into tonight," Burcar said. "Our only two losses would've been to the Pac-12. Now we've lost our last two home games and we have to figure it out by being the hardest working team and the toughest team on the court. I take full responsibility for that."
 
After playing five games in the last five games in the last 10 days, the Lumberjacks will regroup and get ready for the first weekend of conference play next Thursday, Dec. 2 at Weber State.
 
The Big Sky opener in Ogden, Utah will tip-off at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a game in Pocatello, Idaho versus Idaho State next Saturday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.
 
The conference-opening road trip will be the first two in a stretch of five games away from Flagstaff until the Lumberjacks make their debut in the Walkup Skydome versus Idaho on Thursday, Dec. 30.
 
To stay up to date with the NAU men's basketball team, follow the Lumberjacks on Twitter and Instagram.