FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 4, 2022) – Looking to snap a two-game losing streak, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks head to Greeley, Colo. for a quick one-game road trip.
Facing the Northern Colorado Bears (8-10, 4-6 Big Sky) for the second time in six days, the Lumberjacks (9-10, 6-5) hope to even the season series after falling 61-49 in the Walkup Skydome last Monday. Northern Arizona has yet to drop three consecutive games this season, last doing so in January 2021 with the final of the three coming in Greeley.
The Lumberjacks last won on the road against the Bears in February 2020, but have dropped four of the past five at Northern Colorado.
Saturday's 2 p.m. tipoff will be available on ESPN+, as well as Hulu with the Disney Bundle.
Northern Arizona struggled to contain Northern Colorado's Kurstyn Harden inside, with the junior finishing with 25 points and 13 rebounds. The Bears jumped out to an 11-2 lead on Monday, with the Lumberjacks cutting into the advantage but still trailing 20-15 after the opening quarter.
Harden put up six points and seven rebounds in the first 10 minutes of play, setting the tone as Northern Colorado never trailed in the victory. Held to just 49 points, the Lumberjacks' offensive output was the lowest since December 2018 against Arizona. Shooting just 29 percent from the field, it was also the first time since December 2018 against New Mexico that Northern Arizona shot below 30 percent.
Coupled with Harden's efficiency inside, hitting 10 of 17 from the field, Hannah Simental gave the Bears a solid one-two punch. Scoring 16 points, while hitting 2-of-4 from three-point range, Simental combined with Harden to take 17 of Northern Colorado's shots. The two were responsible for 58.7 percent of the Bears' shots from the field and 67.2 percent of the team's 61 points.
The offensive struggles and slow start against Northern Colorado continued Thursday night for the Lumberjacks, as they fell behind 25-4 against Sacramento State and could never climb back in the game. Opponents have outscored Northern Arizona 67-30 in the first quarter over the past three games, with the Lumberjacks needing an 18-0 fourth-quarter run against the Portland State Vikings to earn the lone victory in the three games.
The Lumberjacks have also finished with their two worst three-point percentages this season in the past two losses, shooting a combined 7-of-33 after hitting 11-of-19 against Portland State.
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