FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 6, 2024) – NAU Men's Basketball is gearing up for their second home game to start the season, hosting Nelson for a 6 p.m. MST matchup at Rolle Activity Center on Friday night.
Coming off a 51-point victory, marking the Jacks largest win since the 2022 season where they knocked off Benedictine Mesa in a 105-49 victory.
Trent McLaughlin paved the way to kick-off his Big Sky Preseason MVP campaign, leading the game with 27 points, just four shy of his career high. McLaughlin grabbed five steals and five rebounds in his 27 minutes on the floor, finishing 46.7 percent from the field while draining four three-pointers.
Making his return to play from a season-benching injury last season,
Carson Towt picked up right where he left off, recording his first double-double performance of the year. Towt finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds, only picking up two personal fouls in 24 minutes on the floor.
Ryan Abelman made his first career start for the Jacks, taking advantage quickly as he hit his career high in the first half, sinking ten points on four field goals and two three-pointers. Abelman added five rebounds in 22 minutes total on the floor. Making their Lumberjack debuts,
Dillan Baker,
Monty Bowser, and
Ali Ragab played their first minutes of basketball in Flagstaff as Baker led the pack with two three-pointers and four rebounds, picking up a steal as well.
Northern Arizona held their opponent to a 29.6 field goal percentage, shooting 51.4 percent from the field themselves, connecting on ten three-pointers from five different players. The Jacks grabbed the rebound advantage at 51-28 while closing the game out +14 on turnovers.
The last time Northern Arizona played Nelson in the regular season, also marking the only time the two teams have played a regular-season contest, Nelson was named 'SAGU American Indian College.' The Jacks pulled off a 105-32 victory in Flagstaff, coincidentally being head coach
Shane Burcar's first collegiate win as he began his interim season.
Nelson has played two contests so far to start the season, bringing in wins against Embry-Riddle (AZ) in a 97-71 final and a 111-65 victory over the Jacks last opponent, Park-Gilbert. Through two matchups, the Warriors have shot 58.5 percent from the field, and 40.9 percent from three-point range, while averaging 34.5 rebounds.
Leading the way, Harley Upton is averaging 30.5 points per game after posting 31 to start the season against Embry-Riddle and 30 against Park-Gilbert last Friday. The senior picked up six steals between the two contests, adding five defensive boards. Rob Jenkins is coming off 18 points while shooting 58.3 from the field, finishing 7-for-12.
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