FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Jan. 13, 2024) – The Northern Arizona University women's basketball team took on Montana this afternoon at Findlay Toyota Court in Flagstaff where it was edged 89-84. The Lumberjacks outscored the Griz 42-to-24 in the paint and were a perfect 21-for-21 from the free throw line but couldn't stop Montana behind from the arc as it drained 14 of 34 attempts.
Following the loss, Northern Arizona drops to 10-6 on the year and 2-1 in Big Sky Conference play, while the Griz improve to 11-4 and 3-1 in conference action.
Leia Beattie led the team with a career-high 22 points and five rebounds, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line with three three-pointers.
Saniyah Neverson came a point shy of her career-high, adding 12 points on 5-for-8 from the field off the bench.
Sophie Glancey added 12 points and
Emily Rodabaugh and
Olivia Moran rounded things out with 10 points each.
Nyah Moran led the team with six assists to go with six points.
Northern Arizona shot 42.6 percent from the field and were held to just five three-pointers while the Griz shot 47.5 percent overall. NAU was also out-rebounded 39-to-33 but forced 15 turnovers and only committed nine.
"Obviously, we're disappointed in the loss. Montana is a really good team, they're one of the best in the league. They dropped one at Northern Colorado on Thursday, so this was a must-win for them, and they came out and put it on us. They were super focused, going 14-for-34 from three is tough for any team to do," said head coach
Loree Payne. "They were hitting, but I felt like we played pretty well offensively putting up 84 points. Rebounding, again, was a big difference for us and that is something we have got to fix if we want to be contenders in this league. We can't continue to get out-rebounded each game."
Montana came out and made its first three shots from three-point range to take an early 11-6 lead. Glancey kept NAU in the game with six of Northern Arizona's first eight points. By the media timeout, the Lumberjacks trailed 13-12 and were then held scoreless for over three minutes of the quarter. Northern Arizona was able to end the quarter on a strong note, forcing three turnovers in a minute and a half and ending the quarter on a 4-0 run to trail by just two points, 18-16, at the end of the first.
There were seven lead changes and five ties in the second quarter. The first came when Beattie hit a triple to give NAU its first lead of the game, 23-21. Montana would retake a brief 26-25 lead before a 6-0 run by the 'Jacks put the lead back in NAU's favor, 31-26. With 3:24 left to play, the Griz retook a 32-31 lead and the lead extended out to 37-35 remaining in the half. With 36 seconds left, Beattie made three-pointer and was fouled, completing the three-point play to tie the game 39-39. Under the basket with two seconds left, Neverson made a layup to send NAU into the half with a 41-39 lead.
It was a slow start to the second half for both teams as neither team scored until Rodabaugh made a three-pointer with 7:47 on the clock. After both teams found themselves locked at 44-44, the Lumberjacks were the first ones to break away with an 8-0 run to lead 54-49. Neverson had four points during the run, and she contributed with another layup to help NAU hold a 56-52 lead. Heading into the fourth quarter, NAU led 60-58.
With 2:08 left to play, the Griz used a 6-0 run to pull ahead 79-73. Beattie was fouled shooting a three-pointer three times during the game in total, and twice in the fourth quarter. She went to the line a sunk all three to cut the deficit to three points, and a
Nyah Moran steal and layup made it a 79-78 game in favor of the Griz. With 23 seconds left, Beattie went to the line again and made all three free throws, but the Griz were able to keep their 87-81 lead. Out of a timeout, Beattie made it a three-point game with a three-pointer with 16 seconds left, 87-84. However, the Griz went to the line and made two free throws to help keep the 'Jacks away, securing the 89-84 victory.
The Lumberjacks hit the road for the first time in Big Sky play, taking on Portland State on Thursday, Jan. 18 before traveling to play at Sacramento State on Saturday, Jan. 20.
