FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 19, 2024) – Picking up a 4-1 start to the 2024-25 campaign to mark the program best since the 2001-02, the Jacks dominated from start to finish in an 82-47 battle with the Embry-Riddle Eagles on Tuesday afternoon.
"It was a great job by all of our guys, as a program who has worn the hard helmet for several years now, we can finally control our schedule a little more and to have that best record since '01-'02, that says something about the guys in that locker room," head coach
Shane Burcar said.
Trent McLaughlin and
Monty Bowser got the Northern Arizona offense flowing with a three-pointer from McLaughlin followed by a layup from Bowser, breaking open the back-and-forth start to play. On the opposite side of the ball, NAU forced an Eagle turnover, where McLaughlin capitalized with the dunk to extend NAU's early lead.
Leigh Rickwood-Pitt checked into the game, immediately showcasing impact, picking up eight points for his career high in just eight minutes on the floor through the first half. NAU took a 10-point lead into the break, backed by a first-half-high 11 points from McLaughlin in addition to seven rebounds from
Carson Towt.
Looking to challenge the Eagles first-half 42.9 percent from three-point range, the Jacks came out of the locker room quickly jumping on the largest run of the game, going 10-0 to extend the lead out to 20 points. The run was bookended by a layup from
Jayden Jackson to start the half and a second chance layup from
Ryan Abelman with 15:02 to play.
NAU closed out the game, shooting 57.4 percent from the field while holding Embry-Riddle to a 29.1 shooting percentage. The Jacks held the Eagles to just 2-for-13 from the field in the second half, shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc in the second frame themselves.
McLaughlin led all scorers with 21 points while picking up three steals, five rebounds, and five assists. Jackson closely trailed with 18 while matching his career high. Jackson added six rebounds and four assists to his final stat line.
Monty Bowser finished with a season-high nine points, finishing 4-4 at the line while adding three rebounds.
NAU will next host Incarnate Word on Friday night at 6 p.m. MST at the Rolle Activity Center. To stay up to date with NAU Basketball, follow the Jacks on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
