FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 18, 2025) – The Northern Arizona men's basketball team flexed their depth and rolled to a 108-79 victory over Embry-Riddle to open a four-game homestand in the Rolle Activity Center.
Isaiah Shaw paced five Lumberjacks in double-digit scoring with a career-high 20 points, helping NAU even its season record to 2-2.
Shaw was an efficient 5-for-7 from the field, including a 4-for-5 showing behind the arc, and shot 6-for-7 at the free throw line. Along with Shaw,
Traivar Jackson (16),
Karl Poom (16) and
Chris Komin (14) also set career-highs in the points column.
Oakland Fort was NAU's fifth double-digit scorer with a season-best 10 points.
"I've been talking about depth and our depth is real," said head coach
Shane Burcar. "This year we recruit and built our team with guys who can score and share the ball so we can eliminate scoring slumps. To score over 100 points says a lot about our guys' ability to put the ball in the basket."
A total of eight players scored at least eight points. As a team, NAU was not only effective, but efficient, shooting 62.9% from the field. Inside the arc, NAU shot 75% on 2-point attempts and the 'Jacks were 12-of-26 (46.2%) behind the arc. NAU also shot 78.3% at the free throw line, making 18-of-23 attempts.
The Lumberjacks came out firing against the Eagles, racing out to a 9-0 lead, and never looked back. Embry-Riddle hung around through the first nine minutes, trailing only 24-14, before Jackson ignited the crowd with a steal and emphatic dunk on the other end of the court.
NAU's lead eventually grew to as much as 22 in the first half before taking a 56-36 lead into halftime with Shaw scoring 11 first half points.
"One of our keys to the game was Tucson-to-Flagstaff," Shaw said. "We wanted to take what we learned in Tucson (against Arizona last week) and bring it back to Flagstaff. Getting back into the win column was huge for us. Coach Burcar had us ready from the jump and we were ready to go."
Jacey Canalin, who led Embry-Riddle with 16 points, knocked down a pair of early triples after halftime to twice bring the Eagles within 17 on the scoreboard, but the Lumberjacks left the foot on the pedal. NAU led by at least 25 points for the final 13 minutes of the game.
Even in defeat, Embry-Riddle was sharp offensively, particularly from long distance. The Eagles outshot the Lumberjacks from 3-point range, making 14 treys at a 46.7% clip.
However, Embry-Riddle struggled in the turnover department with 16 in which NAU turned into 25 points. The Lumberjacks also held a significant advantage in the paint, outscoring the Eagles, 46-28, and in transition, 16-5.
Kavon Bradford, like Poom and Shaw, made his first start as a Lumberjack and totaled eight points, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Together with Fort, the two point guards recorded six assists against only one turnover.
NAU continues its homestand with its own Multi-Team Event (MTE) next week. The Lumberjacks will host Cal Poly and Southeast Missouri State at 6 p.m. MST on Monday and Wednesday respectively in Rolle Activity Center.
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