FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 18, 2023) – Extending the Lumberjacks home streak to four straight, NAU Basketball picked up its first Big Sky Conference victory of the season against the Portland State Vikings, 84-65.
"I couldn't be happier for our guys in the locker room, our effort this week was great and to play a really good Portland State team like that for 40 minutes is impressive," head coach
Shane Burcar said. "The crowd was outstanding and when you come out of that tunnel, you feel the difference. One of our keys was to dominate the dome and I think mission accomplished tonight."
Carson Basham started the game with the intensity he would keep throughout all of his 23 minutes on the floor, logging his first block before grabbing the Jacks first field goal of the game to spark NAU's offensive efforts. Finding the first bucket of the night was key for the Lumberjacks as they went on to lead for the entirety of the game.
An 11-4 start to the game gave the Jacks the momentum they were looking for, continuing to extend the margin throughout the first half while finding the largest first frame lead of 18 points with 5:36 to go.
Basham finished the first half with a career-high five blocks, adding to 11 points and four rebounds as the forward eyed a double-double early on.
Oakland Fort led the Jacks in points with 13, on the floor for nearly all 20 minutes while picking up seven rebounds of his own.
The Jacks held PSU to zero double-digit scorers through the first 20 minutes of play, with Ismail Habib leading his team with six. Portland State's 34.3 field goal percent joined the Viks six turnovers and -7 rebound margin to close out the half. NAU shot 39.5 percent in the first frame while picking up seven total blocks and just one turnover while going +6 in the paint and +5 in second chance opportunities.
Coming out of halftime with a 45-32 lead, the Jacks were not looking to let up on the Viks, holding the lead consistent through the first five minutes of return to play as Basham added eight quick points, finding another career high in scoring. With 13:30 remaining, the Lumberjacks took their largest lead of the game at 62-41 which they would go on to match again with :34 seconds to go as
Trent McLaughlin knocked down his third three-pointer of the night.
As NAU's defense saw one of its best performances this season, the Jacks closed out the 19-point win while going +7 on the boards and forcing 15 Viking turnovers. A season high nine blocks for the Jacks would see six come from Basham in his career-night as he finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds as well for his third-career double-double with the Jacks. NAU held a 15-1 advantage off fast-break points alongside a +6 margin in the paint.
Offensively, NAU finished shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 6-21 from beyond the arc while four of five starters finished in double digits as McLaughlin recorded 19, Fort with 15, and Jackson with 10 following Basham.
The Lumberjacks will now host the Sacramento State Hornets on Saturday at 2 p.m. MST in the Skydome on Findlay Toyota Court. To stay up to date with NAU Basketball, follow the Jacks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
