TUCSON, Ariz. (November 11, 2025) – Facing the fifth-ranked team in the country, Northern Arizona men's basketball found its footing in the second half after a first half struggle in an 84-49 loss to No. 5/6 Arizona at McKale Memorial Center on Tuesday.
Trailing 46-17 at halftime, the Lumberjacks (1-2) bounced back in the final 20 minutes as they were outscored by only six points in the second half. Arizona improved to 3-0 this season and had five players in double-figure scoring.
"No matter what the score was, our attitude did not change and our effort did not change. Our guys competed tonight," said head coach
Shane Burcar. "This was a great way for us to learn and progress throughout the season. We can take a deep breath after three games and really improve on NAU Basketball."
NAU shot 32.3% from the floor, buoyed by a 38.2% clip in the second half. Arizona shot 46.7% overall and outscored NAU significantly behind the arc (seven more 3-pointers) and at the charity stripe (12 more free throws).
Despite the lopsided score, NAU came out strong behind the play of
Zack Davidson, who scored the Lumberjacks' first five points and giving NAU a 5-4 edge three minutes into the contest. However, the Wildcats seized momentum with the next 10 points.
Arne Osojnik's coast-to-coast layup with 8:28 left in the first half kept NAU within striking distance at 21-11, but Arizona proceeded to go on a 22-2 run over the next six minutes. During this stretch, NAU missed 7-of-8 shots from the floor and in all, the 'Jacks shot 25% in the first half.
NAU's offensive struggles carried into the second half as the Lumberjacks misfired on 10 of their first 11 field goals before settling into a rhythm. In the final 13 minutes, NAU shot 54.5% (12-of-22) from the field.
Traivar Jackson scored six of his team-high 10 points in the second half, while
Karl Poom scored all seven of his points after halftime.
Chris Komin knocked down a pair of triples in the second half off the bench.
Jackson finished the game 5-of-8 shooting in his first double-digit scoring game as a Lumberjack.
Although NAU turned the ball over 17 times, the Lumberjacks recorded 13 steals, which was their highest total in 10 games dating back to last season. Komin accounted for four of NAU's 13 thefts in 13 minutes, while Osojnik and Jackson both registered a pair of steals themselves.
"We come to work every day to play in the NCAA Tournament," Burcar said. "We have a group who wants to get better. We have some things to clean up – tonight is not about moral victories – and we will."
The Lumberjacks will have a week off before they return to the hardwood in the Rolle Activity Center, next Tuesday, Nov. 18, against Embry-Riddle at 6 p.m. MST. It will be the first of four consecutive home games for NAU through the first week of December.
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