FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 19, 2025) – Poor shooting in the second period downed the Northern Arizona women's basketball as it fell to Pepperdine, 80-74, in non-conference action on Wednesday night inside Rolle Activity Center.
Naomi White led NAU (1-4) with 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting for her fifth straight game with 20 or more points.
Audrey Taylor chipped in 14 points, two assists and one steal off the bench, while
Layla Davis tallied 11 points and seven boards for her second game of the season in double figures. NAU won the turnover battle (17-13), as well as points from turnovers (22-19) and second-chance points (14-2), with the squads deadlocking in rebounds with 35 each. However, Pepperdine (3-1) shot just under 50% for the game, while NAU landed at 42%.
The Lumberjacks jumped out to a 10-4 lead, forcing an early timeout from the Waves midway through the first quarter. NAU would stretch the lead the ten, and lead 21-17 after one, holding Pepperdine to a season-low in first-quarter points by an opponent this season.
NAU continued the defensive pressure into the second period and would lead 29-21 midway through the quarter following a Davis layup. But the 'Jacks struggled offensively into halftime, as Pepperdine would spark a 17-1 run to lead 38-30 at the break.
Pepperdine maintained the advantage in the third, as NAU got as close as five twice in the period. The Waves capitalized on seven NAU fouls and went 8-8 from the line in the quarter to keep their distance and lead 57-45 going into the fourth.
The Waves reached their largest lead of the contest early in the fourth quarter, but NAU began slowly chipping away as it took care of the ball, only committing one turnover in the period. The Lumberjacks trailed 67-63 with 3:30 to play and would cut it four twice more into the final minute, but Pepperdine made its free throws down the stretch and ran out the clock to secure the win.
With made threes in tonight's contest, Taylor and White have both made at least one triple in every contest this season. White has also scored at least twenty in every game this season.
Lumberjack women's basketball will return to action on Friday, Nov. 21 as they travel to Tucson to face Big 12 foe Arizona. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. Mountain Standard time and will be streamed on ESPN+.
