FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 6, 2023) – NAU Basketball secured the third-straight home victory this season with a 74-73 win against North Dakota, while erasing a 17-point first half deficit and outscoring the Fighting Hawks 43-32 in the second half.
As the victory marks the end of non-conference matchups for NAU, the Lumberjacks secure seven Division-I non-conference victories, which matches the most since the 2007-08 season.
"The reason I'm so positive is because of the guys in the locker room, we had three bad games, and we turned it around and took care of business today," head coach
Shane Burcar said. "We've got to own Flagstaff and the next nine of 14 are at home for us. This was the best sixth man crowd we've had here in Flagstaff and we appreciate them, we're connected to the city of Flagstaff and we're proud of that."
A 7-0 run to start the game for the Fighting Hawks was quickly stopped as
Trent McLaughlin started things off for the Jacks with a fastbreak three-pointer from the right side.
After a slower start for the Jacks, things began to heat up for NAU after the defense forced a shot clock violation followed by
Diego Campisano's second steal of the game resulted in an
Oakland Fort three-pointer to bring the Jacks within nine at the under-12 media break.
North Dakota controlled the ball offensively through the majority of the first half, until the Lumberjacks made three consecutive stops to end the half, while
Jayden Jackson and
Diego Campisano each sank eight free throws to bring the Jacks back within 10 points at halftime.
The three-point range was the Lumberjacks hot spot in the first half, finishing with 44.4 percent from beyond the arc while holding North Dakota to 37.5 percent.
Carson Basham led the Jacks with eight points, closely followed by McLaughlin and Campisano as Basham matched his rebounds with eight at the break. The Jacks won the first half rebound game 22-21.
Looking to minimize turnovers and capitalize on UND's early game foul trouble, the Lumberjacks began the second half with a quick forced turnover. Down the stretch
Liam Lloyd sent a pass inside the key for a Jackson dunk to spark the Jacks offensive efforts. Campisano had a run of his own while picking up six points in the first four minutes of the half as NAU held UND's offense scoreless for four minutes straight to force the Fighting Hawks to take the first timeout of the half.
McLaughlin knocked down his third three-pointer to bring the Jacks back within two while Basham hit double-digits with a dunk to tie it up at 48 a piece. Moments later, Basham tabbed his second double-double this season with a defensive board off free throws with 13 minutes remaining.
With six minutes to go, Campisano secured the lead for NAU, as the Jacks erased a game-high 17-point deficit from UND, and the Lumberjacks went on a roll to close things out in the dome. With a minute and a half remaining, Treysen Eaglestaff put North Dakota back within three with a three-pointer while Brady Danielson got the go-ahead baskets with two shots at the line. McLaughlin took a driving layup into the paint for the lead and NAU's defense forced back-to-back misses to secure the third-straight victory in Flagstaff.
Campisano led the way with a career-high 18 points, followed by McLaughin with 17, Basham with 13, and Jackson with 10. Basham hit three new career-highs with 13 boards, 29 minutes, and three assists. For the first time in six games, the Jacks outrebounded their opponent, this time at 39-38.
The Lumberjacks will now jump into the thick of Big Sky Conference play on the road, set to take on Montana State and Montana next week. To stay up to date with NAU Basketball, follow the Jacks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
