ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (November 3, 2025) – Redshirt freshman
Naomi White scored 24 points in her collegiate debut as Northern Arizona women's basketball opened its 2025-26 season on the road, dropping a hard-fought 77-59 contest to New Mexico on Monday night.
White led all scorers with 24 points on 9-of-24 shooting, including 6-of-13 from beyond the arc to go along with four rebounds, while
Audrey Taylor chipped in ten points to lead NAU's offense.
Simone Morris pulled down eight boards and scored six points, with
Madison Watts stacking eight points, six rebounds, two blocks and one steal in their respective Lumberjack debuts.
Three Lobos scored in double figures to lead a balanced UNM attack, led by Clariss Craig with 16 points.
NAU held narrow 17-15 lead in turnovers but capitalized on 12 second-chance points from ten offensive rebounds to New Mexico's six second-chance points off eight offensive boards.
New Mexico began hot from the floor, making five of its eight first shots, but NAU held close and trailed 11-8 at the halfway point of the first period.
The Lobos then jumped out to a double-digit lead in the second quarter thanks to four steals in the period and led 44-35 at the half. NAU managed to close the second quarter on an 8-3 run sparked by a Taylor three-pointer as the 'Jacks shot an efficient 53.8 from the floor in the period.
While the Lobos stretched their lead to as many as 19 midway in the third, White knocked down four straight triples to make it 51-60 at the 2:21 mark of the quarter.
A Morris jumper to open the final frame got the lead to single digits again, but the 'Jacks struggled from the floor greatly in the period and were unable to close the gap, despite
holding the Lobos to 12 fourth-quarter points.
NAU will continue its season on the road as it travels to Utah Tech on Saturday, Nov. 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. Mountain Standard time and will be streamed on ESPN+.
