Northern Arizona fell against the Montana Grizzlies, 80-76 in overtime, as both teams' offenses went cold late in the game. The two teams were locked in a stalemate throughout, with the largest lead for either being seven. The Lumberjacks led for almost 28 minutes, but ultimately couldn't hold on despite Montana scoring just three field goals in the fourth quarter. It marked the fifth overtime game for the Lumberjacks this season, and the third in the last four games.
NAU was looking to sweep Montana after a two-point road win in Missoula. Both teams entered with a winning streak, three games for Montana and two for the Lumberjacks, including topping defending Big Sky Conference champion Montana State. During the game against the Bobcats, senior guard
Regan Schenck had tied the Lumberjack assist record (637), meaning this game would likely put her atop the NAU assist charts.
After tonight's loss, Northern Arizona drops to 13-11 overall and 7-4 in conference action, while Montana improves to 12-11 and 8-4.
NAU managed to take the lead early and held it for 6:48 of the first quarter but they couldn't extend it to more than four points. Sophomore
Fatoumata Jaiteh led the Lumberjacks, scoring seven including some key buckets.
The Griz offense started to click in the second quarter, but the Lumberjacks refused to give up the lead for long. Schenck found her scoring touch, scoring eight points in the opening five minutes of the period, however the guard was yet to get an assist.
Schenck's historic moment would finally arrive with 4:09 to go in the second quarter. On a drive that sucked in the defense, Schenck dished the ball to freshman
Saniyah Neverson who made a well-timed cut to the basket.
Following the assist NAU led, but the Grizzlies were ready to pounce. Montana found a rhythm from beyond the arc, going three-for-three in the final three minutes of the half. The Lumberjacks would fight back, but went into the locker room trailing 41-40.
Following the break, the two teams found themselves in a deadlock. Able to go blow for blow it was clear that one run could be the difference. The Lumberjacks seemed to find it, with a 12-3 run that saw Montana hit just one field goal in 7:21. Montana clawed back, largely by going six-for-seven from the free throw line during the period, but the Lumberjacks still entered the fourth quarter leading.
Free throws would ultimately be the difference maker as Montana shot 26 while the Lumberjacks took only 11.
"The biggest thing that stands out I think is us fouling them and putting them on the free throw line 26 times," said
Loree Payne of the disparity. "Them scoring that many from the free throw line and us just not playing solid defense and fouling really hurt us."
It was clear that neither team would go quietly, and both started to buckle down on defense in the fourth quarter. The teams would combine for just nine points in the opening five minutes. NAU still held a narrow two-point lead.
However, the Grizzlies offense continued to grind for points, but NAU's offense had gone cold. After briefly relinquishing the lead, Jaiteh scored a crucial and one that gave the Lumberjacks a two-point lead, but it wouldn't last long. A pair of free throws evened the score.
Olivia Moran scored one more, but Montana once again equalized. It looked like Montana may have the last shot until Schenck managed a huge defensive stop, batting the ball off a Griz player's leg. However, a game winning shot attempt from the guard came up short and the two teams would need overtime to decide a winner.
Defense would continue to be the main course in the extra period, both teams only managing one field goal in the opening two minutes. Unfortunately for the Lumberjacks, Montana's was an and one, meaning they trailed as time looked increasingly narrow. NAU's defense held strong, with Neverson getting a massive block that got NAU the ball back thanks to a shot clock violation, but NAU once again failed to convert on offense. A pair of Griz free throws further separated the two teams, as the 'Jacks now trailed by three. A made free throw from the Griz would seal the game as NAU couldn't score on their final possession despite fighting for three offensive rebounds.
The Lumberjacks will have a quick turnaround as they travel to Pocatello to take on the Idaho State Bengals. NAU will be looking to avenge a home loss from earlier in the season, in which they struggled from beyond the arc, going just 3-for-24. The Lumberjacks and Bengals will battle at 7 p.m. Mountain Standard time on Monday February 6, watchable on ESPN+.
