FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 20, 2024) – The Lumberjacks (12-15, 5-8) are returning home for a pair of crucial Big Sky meetings this week, hosting the Eastern Washington Eagles (17-9, 11-2) and the Idaho Vandals (10-16, 4-9) at Findlay Toyota Court on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon, respectively.
With five regular season contests remaining on slate for NAU, the Jacks have already matched their 2022-23 season wins at 12. While picking up a big road win at Sacramento State last week, the Jacks went on to fall at Portland State after turnovers proved costly for the Lumberjacks. NAU will look to bounce back against the Eagles on Thursday, who are also entering the week coming off a loss, as EWU suffered an upset on their home court to the Weber State Wildcats.
The Lumberjacks have shot at least 50.0 percent from the field in the last three meetings, while averaging 48.4 percent through the last six games. In last week's victory against the Hornets, the team shot 50.0 percent from three-point range in a season-high 13 three-pointers coming from five players.
Trent McLaughlin and
Carson Basham are leading the Jacks offensively, both averaging double-digit scoring as McLaughlin sits with 16.7 points per game, ranking third in the Big Sky, while Basham averages 11.6 points per game. Basham leads the team in rebounding at 6.3 through conference play.
Jayden Jackson has tabbed a team-high 33 rebounds in the last six games, while averaging 4.2 a game. Following a career-high game against North Dakota with 18 points,
Diego Campisano hit a 10-game streak of no double-digit scoring before back-to-back 10+ point games on the road last week. Campisano notched 11 at Sacramento State and 10 at Portland State while shooting 61.5 percent through both contests.
While the Eagles will look for a season-sweep over the Lumberjacks, they will be focused on re-entering the win column after a six-point loss to WSU on Saturday. The Eagles were outscored 44-33 in the first half, with a second-half surge falling short in favor of Eastern Washington. Jake Kyman led the Eags with 19 points while the team shot 48.1 percent from the floor through 40 minutes, dropping their second Big Sky contest of the season despite a 61.5 second half shooting percentage.
Five Eastern Washington players average double-digit scoring this season led by Cedric Coward with 14.1 points a game. Coward has recorded six 20+ point games this season with two coming in conference play against Portland State and Weber State. In the last two games for the Eagles, Coward has shot 62.5 percent from the field while averaging 8.0 rebounds. Kyman leads the team in three-point scoring, shooting 44.9 percent from beyond the arc, ranking second in the Big Sky with 2.3 three-pointers a game.
Eastern Washington leads the overall series against NAU at 45-38, with the Lumberjacks last victory over EWU coming in the 2023 Big Sky Tournament after
Oakland Fort knocked the game-winning three-pointer in buzzer beating fashion while No. 1 EWU was sent home by the No. 9 Lumberjacks. The last time NAU tabbed a win over the Eagles in Flagstaff was March of 2017 in a 76-61 contest. NAU leads the Flagstaff portion of the series at 23-15.
The Idaho Vandals are currently coming off a 55-53 upset to in-state rivals Idaho State after a last-second loss to Weber State. Idaho's victory to the Bengals saw 18 lead changes and 12 ties while the Vandals opened up the second half with an 11-3 run to pick up the largest lead of the game with 12:17 remaining at 43-37. Idaho finished the game 36.5 percent from the field led by Kyson Rose and Kristian Gonzalez's 11-point performances.
The Vandals average 44.8 percent from the field this season, while shooting 50.1 percent through the last six contests alone. Quinn Denker (12.2), Julius Mims (11.7), and Tyler Mrus (10.5) lead the team in scoring while all averaging double-digits. Mims leads the team in rebounding as well, picking up 7.6 boards a night, ranking fourth amongst Big Sky opponents. In addition, Mims leads the league in blocked shots while averaging 1.6 a game, picking up his season-high of five against the Lumberjacks in the January meeting.
Idaho leads the overall series against the Jacks at 43-30, with NAU claiming victory in the last three meetings, including one Big Sky Tournament victory for the Lumberjacks after an 87-76 victory to send the Vandals out of post-season play. NAU has claimed a 6-4 record in the last ten Skydome meetings, alongside an 8-2 record in the last ten meetings in general.
To stay up to date with NAU Basketball, follow the Lumberjacks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
