MOSCOW, Idaho (Feb. 24, 2024) – The Northern Arizona University women's basketball team battled Idaho to a 60-55 victory on the road today in Moscow, Idaho. The Lumberjacks trailed by as many as nine and 37-30 at the half before limiting the Vandals to just 18 total second half points.
The win marks victory No. 20 for Northern Arizona, who improves to 20-8 on the season and 12-3 in Big Sky Conference play. It's the sixth-straight victory over the Vandals who drop to 13-14 and 6-9.
Three players scored in double figures, led by
Nyah Moran with 14 points.
Sophie Glancey added 11 points plus eight rebounds, while
Grace Beasley rounded things out with 12 points and a team-high three assists. Beasley made 4-of-9 from the field and was instrumental in the fourth quarter with 10 points.
Northern Arizona won the rebounding battle, 41-to-36. With Idaho making 23-of-61 from the field compared to NAU's 22-of-59, the difference came at the free throw line where the Lumberjacks were 11-of-12 and the Vandals were 5-of-8.
Nyah Moran scored the first six points for the Lumberjacks and the teams were locked at 6-6 in the early goings. From there, Idaho went on a 9-0 run to take a 15-6 lead.
Nyah Moran stopped the run with two at the free throw line, and
Olivia Moran grabbed a steal and scored for four quick points, cutting the lead to 15-10.
Idaho pulled back ahead 20-15, but the Lumberjacks scored the final four points thanks to
Grace Beasley and Glancey to trail 20-19 after the first quarter, with
Nyah Moran scoring 13 points.
Leia Beattie sank a three-pointer to tie the game at 22-22 to open the second quarter, but the Vandals pulled ahead 29-24 with 4:36 left in the half. Five-straight points from Glancey made it a five-point game with 2:18 left to play, but Idaho got the final say and NAU went into the locker room down 37-30.
NAU shot 37.5 percent (9-24) in the first half compared to the Vandals who shot 48.3 percent (14-29). Idaho scored 11 first half points off nine Northern Arizona miscues.
With 4:56 remaining in the third quarter, NAU trailed 41-36. Out of the media timeout,
Emily Rodabaugh scored five-straight points to make it a two point, 43-41, game. With 23 seconds left,
Olivia Moran scored on an out of bounds play to send the teams tied 43-43 going into the fourth quarter. Northern Arizona outscored Idaho 13-6 in the third, forcing six Vandal turnovers.
On NAU's first possession of the fourth quarter,
Saniyah Neverson gave the Lumberjacks their first lead since the first quarter. After a 45-45 tie that was followed by a scoreless spell for both squads, Glancey put the Lumberjacks back up 47-45 for good. With five minutes to play, Rodabaugh and Beasley scored seven-straight points to create some space with a 54-46 advantage.
Beasley would be clutch in the game's final moments, making 4-of-4 from the free throw line to close things out for the 60-55 victory.
Northern Arizona returns home for its final home games off the season, hosting Idaho State on Feb. 29 before taking on Weber State on March 2 for Senior Day at Findlay Toyota Court in Flagstaff.
