FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (December 18, 2025) – Behind a career-high 24 points by
Ryan Abelman, the Northern Arizona men's basketball team ensured it was a successful debut in the Walkup Skydome Thursday night. The Lumberjacks earned a 65-57 victory on Findlay Toyota Court over Southern Utah, snapping a four-game losing streak in the process.
"I want to thank the fans," said head coach
Shane Burcar. "It was a sluggish game and the crowd was into it. We need our sixth man every night and the players talked about the difference they made tonight. Tonight was important as we get ready for the Big Sky."
NAU improved to 5-1 at home and 5-6 overall with the victory. Southern Utah, who returns to the Big Sky next season, fell to 5-8.
Abelman notched his third 20-point game of the season, shooting 8-for-11 from the field. Abelman knocked down 4-of-6 from behind the arc as he set a new career-high for the third time this season.
While Abelman garnered the headlines, a trio of Lumberjacks made significant contributions off the bench.
Karl Poom reached double-figures with 10 points and led the team with seven rebounds.
Chris Komin registered four points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks and
Traivar Jackson totaled five points, five rebounds and three steals. The three Lumberjacks were all plus-10 or better.
"Those three guys coming off the bench, that was the game in a nutshell," Burcar said. "Our depth is really good and it was advertised tonight. Without them we don't win tonight."
After NAU fell behind early, 8-2, Poom scored six consecutive points during an 8-0 run that put the Lumberjacks in front, 20-15. The Thunderbirds eventually moved in front and looked poised to take a five-point lead into halftime before Abelman beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer, sending NAU into the locker room down only 32-30.
By rallying in the second half, the Lumberjacks notched their first of the season when trailing at halftime. NAU had previously lost 12 consecutive games when behind at the half dating back to last season.
The teams battled through the first nine minutes of the second half before the 'Jacks seized control at the midway point. Down 44-43,
Zack Davidson gave the Lumberjacks the lead for good with a reverse layup, starting a 13-2 run. Abelman chipped in a pair of triples and Jackson converted an emphatic 3-point play to give NAU its largest lead, 57-46, with six minutes remaining.
However, Southern Utah wasted no time and immediately cut NAU's lead down to four with four minutes to play. The Lumberjacks did not allow the Thunderbirds to get any closer with
Kavon Bradford and Komin each knocking down a pair of free throws in the final minute to push NAU's lead back out to eight points.
"We were up 10 and they cut it down to four," Abelman said. "The next step for us is to push that lead from 10 to 15. It showed our resilience when they chipped away and we held on to win."
Behind Abelman and Poom in double-figures, Davidson and Bradford added eight points apiece.
For the first time in seven games, NAU had fewer than 10 turnovers. Turning the ball over only eight times, compared to 15 by Southern Utah, had an impact on the game. The Lumberjacks were plus-six in points off turnovers.
Isaiah Shaw, Komin and Jackson all tallied three steals as NAU had 11 as a team.
The Lumberjacks head back on the road to San Antonio, Texas for a Sunday afternoon game at UIW. Tip-off is 1 p.m. MST.
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