IRVINE, Calif. (November 15, 2025) – The Northern Arizona women's basketball team made it a five-point game with just under four minutes to play, but UC Irvine closed the game on a 17-7 run and took the win, 90-75 inside Bren Events Center on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action.
Naomi White once again led NAU (1-3) with 21 points on 6-of-17 shooting to go along with four boards and four assists, while
Faith Curry had a career-best outing with 13 points.
Madison Watts also recorded ten points for a career-high, while stacking seven rebounds and four steals.
NAU suffered its largest rebounding deficit this season of 48-32, as the Eaters (2-2) turned 21 offensive boards into 15 second-chance points. UC Irvine also held a 34-18 edge on points in the paint.
The Lumberjacks stayed within striking distance in the first half and tied it at 24 with 6:23 in the second period off a White jumper, two of her 14 first-half points.
Momentum shifted heavily in the Eater's favor towards the end of the third quarter, as UC Irvine built its largest lead of the contest at 68-51 with 25 ticks left in the period. Although NAU shot 50% from the floor in the quarter, they allowed 29 points, the most by an opponent in a third quarter this season.
The Eaters continued to lead by double figures until midway point of the fourth, when the 'Jacks held UC Irvine scoreless for a near five-minute stretch while chipping away at the deficit.
Audrey Taylor put in a layup with 3:50 to play to make it 73-68, but UC Irvine would cash in on back-to-back triples in its following possessions to stretch the lead back out to 11. NAU continued to fight but could not get closer than nine before time ran out.
White records her fourth straight game of 20 or more points to begin her collegiate career, as she entered this afternoon's contest first in the nation amongst freshmen in points per game and 16th overall.
The Lumberjacks will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 19 when they welcome WCC member Pepperdine to Flagstaff. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain Standard time and will be streamed on ESPN+.
