Lumberjacks Fall to Bears in Return to Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 31, 2022) – Falling behind by nine in the game's opening three minutes, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks' early deficit left them chasing the Northern Colorado Bears in their return to Flagstaff.
 
Playing in the Walkup Skydome for the first time in 23 days, the Lumberjacks (9-9, 6-4 Big Sky) hit just 29 percent from the field while the Bears (7-10, 3-6) bounced back from a loss on Saturday for a 61-49 victory.
 
Monday night's 49 points was the lowest for Northern Arizona since December 2018 against Arizona and the first time being held under 30 percent from the field since a December 2018 game against New Mexico. 
 
After shooting 0-of-7 to open the game, the Lumberjacks recovered to put together a 6-0 run midway through the first quarter. After Khiarica Rasheed put in a layup off an assist by Olivia Moran, Emily Rodabaugh stepped in the way of a pass by Northern Colorado's Allie Downing and broke toward the basket for a layup.
 
Another layup, this time by Lauren Orndoff, cut the Bears' lead down to 11-8 but a brief run for Northern Colorado, highlighted by a Hannah Simental three-pointer, pushed the visitors back in control. Five points for Fatoumata Jaiteh at the end of the first quarter, coupled with a three-pointer for Emily Rodabaugh and a free throw by Regan Schenck, once again put the Lumberjacks down by only three at 22-19.
 
However, another run by the Bears put the Lumberjacks back down into their original nine-point hole. With six combined free throws from Sabine Lipe and Simental, the Bears entered the break in control and eventually grew the lead to 17 in the fourth quarter.
 
A three-pointer from Schenck, layup by Orndoff and a pair of makes from outside for Nyah Moran pushed the lead back down to 12, but a pair of quarters with the Lumberjacks hitting 21 percent from the field was too much to overcome.
 
Kurstyn Harden led the way for the Bears, scoring 25 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. The junior's totals accounted for 41 percent and 32.5 percent of her team's scoring and rebounds respectively while playing 28 minutes. Harden finished the opening quarter with six points and seven rebounds, paving the way for one of the best nights of her career.
 
Nyah Moran led the Lumberjacks with 11 points, followed by 10 points and six rebounds for Rasheed. Schenck added eight points, five rebounds and two assists while Orndoff finished with six points and season highs for rebounds, at seven, and assists with five.
 
Northern Arizona returns to the Skydome on Thursday to take on the Sacramento State Hornets (9-10, 5-5) at 6 p.m. The Lumberjacks defeated the Hornets 68-57 in Sacramento on Jan. 10, though Sacramento State has won five of six since the loss.
 
Thursday night's game will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day and include a "Wings" Poster giveaway.
 
Stay connected with NAU Women's Basketball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates on the Lumberjacks as they continue the 2021-22 season.