FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (December 5, 2023) – Coming off the Jacks largest victory of the season, NAU (3-5) will get back on the road this week to take on Abilene Christian (3-5) and Incarnate Word (3-5) in Texas on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively.
The Jacks success was backed by the best shooting percentage of the season, the best overall since Feb. 9 against the Sacramento State Hornets, as the Jacks 51.8 percent shooting led to the 20-point victory to Pacific. From beyond the arc, NAU's 52.2 percent shooting included four individuals, led by
Trent McLaughlin's career-high night as the junior shot 71.4 percent from the field, including five three-pointers.
Diego Campisano followed suit with a career-high game himself, tabbing 14 points alongside three three-pointers.
Liam Lloyd and
Oakland Fort each dropped two-three pointers as Lloyd extended his streak of games with a three-point field goal to eight, and Fort extended his double-digit game streak to five. McLaughlin closed out the game with a career-high and season individual team-high of 28 points, Campisano finished with 14 and Fort finished with 10 while
Carson Basham tabbed a career high in points with 16 alongside nine boards.
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 turnovers, while only committing nine.
Through eight games, both McLaughlin and
Jayden Jackson are averaging double-digit scoring with 14.8 for McLaughlin and 10.1 for Jackson, per game. Following closely, Fort is averaging 9.9 PPG, Basham with 9.3 PPG, and Lloyd with 8 PPG.
As a team, the Jacks three-point percentage defense of 25.3 percent ranks 8
th in the nation amongst division I institutions, ranking first in the Big Sky. McLaughlin's 14.8 scoring average is fourth in the conference while averaging 2.0 steals per game puts him second in the conference category. Basham's 11 blocked shots this season ranks second in the Big Sky as well, while Lloyd still leads in assists, averaging 4.4 per game.
Abilene Christian will be looking for their first victory since Nov. 19 after losing three straight to Missouri State, UT Arlington, and Stephen F. Austin. The Wildcats last two victories came in the Paradise Jam tournament in the US Virgin Islands with a 77-71 win to San Jose State and a 59-45 win to Fordham.
The Wildcats are led by Ali Abdou Dibba who is currently averaging 14.8 points per game, securing double-digits in seven of eight games this season. Cameron Steele has been successful on the defensive end with nine steals and seven blocks, ranking 12
th overall in the WAC in blocks per game.
NAU fell to Abilene Christian in the first-ever matchup between the two teams last season in Flagstaff, 92-82. Immanuel Allen led the Wildcats with 16 points in just 18 minutes on the floor. This season Allen has averaged five points per game with just one double-digit scoring game in ACU's loss to NC State. ACU found their momentum shooting 56.7 percent from the field, which would mark their best shooting game against a Division I program all season.
Following Wednesday night's match, NAU will take on Incarnate Word for the first time in program history on Saturday, Dec. 9 in San Antonio, Texas. The Cardinals have a 3-5 start to the 2023-24 season, with wins to Schreiner, Arkansas -Pine Bluff, and Jacksonville State.
The Cardinals will also be looking for their first win since Nov. 22, after dropping three straight to UTSA, Jacksonville State, and Bethune-Cookman. Despite some struggles for the Cardinals, the team is led by four players averaging double-digits in Sky Wicks 19.0 PPG, Josiah Hammons 14.8 PPG, Josh Morgan's 10.8 PPG, and Shon Robinson's 10.1 PPG.
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