FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (December 7, 2024) – The Lumberjacks capitalized on their second Big Sky-Summit Challenge matchup of the year, taking down the South Dakota Coyotes in a 95-82 final as Northern Arizona shot their best against Division-I opponents this season, finishing 56.4 percent from the field.
Saturday's victory puts the Jacks at an undefeated 5-0 in Flagstaff, also marking the final home game in Rolle Activity Center. The Lumberjacks will return to Flagstaff on Dec. 30 to host Benedictine Mesa at Findlay Toyota Court in the Walkup Skydome.
"It was a great Saturday, we've got good players and that's what it comes down to," head coach
Shane Burcar said. "For us to bounce back like that it was outstanding."
Jayden Jackson got the Jack's three-point party started as Northern Arizona took a 4-of-4 from the field start with 15:45 to play, leading 12-5 at the first media timeout. The Jacks would lead by five at the next break, starting the game 6-10 with
Oakland Fort leading NAU with five.
Coming off the bench,
Monty Bowser got the crowd into it, finding the dunk with (;34 to play, forcing the Coyotes into their first timeout of the game. South Dakota was able to answer out of the timeout, just before Bowser spoiled it with a nothing-but-net three-pointer. Fort would sink a three of his own with 5:45 to play, giving NAU the largest lead of the half, 38-22.
The Jacks went into halftime with the 48-41 lead, taking advantage of the fast break with 12 points total in the first frame. Northern Arizona shot 60.0 percent from the field, in addition to 60.0 percent from beyond the arc.
Trent McLaughlin led the Jacks with 15 points, while
Carson Towt led on the boards with 10.
A 7-0 run to return to play in the second half would extend NAU's lead back out to 14, bookended by a
Jayden Jackson jumper and a
Ryan Abelman three-pointer. Following one bucket from South Dakota, the Jacks sparked another 7-0 run to take the largest lead of the game, 62-42, with 16:11 to play.
NAU held on to the lead, finalizing the game with a 13-point victory at 95-82. Five Lumberjacks finished in double-digits, McLaughlin leading the way with 23, Jackson following with 20, Bowser with 14, and Fort and Towt with 10 apiece.
Leigh Rickwood-Pitt was just one shy of double-digit scoring, finishing with nine and five rebounds in 14 minutes on the floor. Six different Lumberjacks hit threes fin Saturday's victory, finishing 9-20 as a team. Towt picked up his sixth double-double of the season, just one rebound shy of matching his career high with 18 total rebounds on the day. Bowser finished 6-7 from the field for Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona will head on the road to take on the Pepperdine Waves on Saturday in Malibu. To stay up to date with NAU Basketball, follow the Jacks on Instagram, X, Facebook.
