FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 9, 2025) – Northern Arizona Basketball (10-6, 1-2) dropped a tough Big Sky contest in Missoula Thursday night, falling to Montana (10-6, 3-0) in an 81-76 final.
In a start that saw seven lead changes in the first eight minutes of opening play, the Lumberjacks went 6-7 from the field, as
Monty Bowser started the Jacks three-point game off. The Griz flipped the script, jumping out on a 11-0 run over a two-minute span to lead 27-15 with 9:18 to play.
As Northern Arizona began to chip back, they would outscore the Griz 26-19, with
Jayden Jackson ending the half on three-consecutive field goals made to bring the Lumberjacks back within five.
NAU shot an impressive 60.7 percent from the field through the first frame, with Jackson leading scoring at 15 points.
Monty Bowser shot 3-4 from the field, hitting a perfect 2-2 from beyond the arc for eight points as the Jacks held Montana to 54.3 percent field goal shooting.
A ten-point game with six minutes to play would quickly be erased to a seven-point advantage for the Griz as Bowser hit his third three-pointer of the night.
Trent McLaughlin would then sink two at the line to bring the Jacks within five with 4:43 to go. Keeping the run going for NAU, Jackson gets the layup and one at the line after Montana's fourth foul of the half.
The Jacks fell scoreless from the field for three minutes of play while Montana picked up three themselves, just before a
Dillan Baker three-shot and a McLaughlin steal and layup brought the Jacks back within three with .6 seconds to play. NAU was charged with a foul, allowing Money Williams to secure the win at the line in 81-76 fashion for the Griz.
Jackson led the Jacks with 22 points, going 9-for-19 from the field in addition to five rebounds and seven assists. Bowser finished in double digits with 11, shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 3-4 from three-point range.
Carson Towt picked up nine points and ten rebounds while McLaughlin finished with 19.
Leigh Rickwood-Pitt went 3-for-3 from the field in 19 minutes on the floor, grabbing eight rebounds. NAU finished the game 42.0 percent from the field, and 38.9 percent from beyond the arc.
NAU Basketball will now head to Bozeman, Mont. to take on the Montana State Bobcats in a Saturday night matchup. The game is set to start at 6 p.m. MST and will be available to stream on ESPN+ with live stats available on statbroadcast.com. To stay up to date with NAU Basketball, follow the Jacks on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
