FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (December 2, 2023) – The Lumberjacks found their rhythm against the University of Pacific Tigers in today's home opener, picking up the 20-point win 78-58.
"I couldn't be happier with our 14 young men working together today. We played a great 40 minutes, it might be the best 40 minutes we've played in a long time,"
Shane Burcar said.
The Jacks dominated in today's fourth-straight victory against the Tigers, improving the all-time series record to 4-0 with the second victory against Pacific in Flagstaff. Pacific stuck around with the Jacks offensive efforts through the first ten minutes of play as things were tied up 20-20 before the Jacks put on a show with a 16-0 run to close out the first half.
Trent McLaughlin picked up eight points for NAU in the run, eyeing his career high early on.
At thew break, the Jacks took a 14-point lead while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc. Both
Diego Campisano, who made the start today, and McLaughlin entered the half 2-2 from three-point range, while McLaughlin was a perfect 6-6 from the field to lead the Jacks with 13 points total.
Leading the Tigers at the break, Judson Martindale grabbed 8 points followed by Burke Smith's seven. Pacific shot 29.0 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three-point range in the second half.
Oakland Fort started things off for the Jacks in the second half with his first three-pointer of the game, which would go on to be one of two for the guard. The Jacks kept the gap between the Tigers throughout the second half, with the largest lead extending to 24 off a Campisano layup.
Campisano, McLaughlin, and Basham all tabbed career highs with 28, 14, and 16 points, respectively. The Jacks shot their best game this season, finishing 51.8 percent from the field and 52.2 percent from three-point range, marking the team's best three-point shooting since hosting Sacramento State last February.
For the first time in the 2023-24 campaign, the Lumberjacks won the rebound battle with a margin of +6. NAU capitalized on 17 points off of turnovers, while only committing nine.
The Lumberjacks will head back on the road for a pair of games in Texas as NAU will take on Abilene Christian on Wednesday and Incarnate Word on Saturday. To stay up to date with the Jacks, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
