LA JOLLA, Calif. (December 20, 2025) – The Northern Arizona women's basketball team led by as many as 19 and survived a furious second-half rally to take a 71-68 victory over UC San Diego on Saturday afternoon inside Lion Tree Arena.
NAU (4-9) wins its second in a row on the road and third overall, while also winning its first contest decided by five points or less this season.
Naomi White led a balance attack with 18 points and six rebounds, while
Simone Morris corralled a game-leading eight boards to go along with six points.
Madison Watts (6-of-7) and
Audrey Taylor (4-of-6) also chipped in 12 apiece on efficient shooting as NAU shot just over 48% from the floor for the game.
UCSD (6-5, 1-0 Big West) was paced by Erin Condron who produced 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting to go along with six rebounds and three assists. The Tritons entered the contest allowing just under 60 points per game, but gave up 71 to the 'Jacks, while NAU held UCSD to just under their scoring offense of 69.5. NAU outrebounded the Tritons 46-31 but lost the turnover battle 19-9.
NAU raced out to a 7-0 lead and led 18-11 after one and would catch fire into the second as they shot 68% in the period and enjoyed a 10-0 run capped off by a
Hannah Williams layup to lead 34-15 at the midway point of the quarter. The 'Jacks led 45-27 at halftime but then endured an 11-0 run from the Tritons in the third as they saw the lead cut down to three. UCSD capitalized on 11 Lumberjack turnovers for nine points in the period, but NAU maintained a three-point advantage headed to the fourth.
A pair of Taylor triples to begin the final period stretched the lead back the seven, but the Tritons kept knocking on the door as they trailed by three at the media timeout 59-56. With 1:27 left, a layup from Erin Condron tied it at 65, but the lead was short-lived as Watts floated in a deuce on the other end to put NAU back up. After a defensive stop and offensive board from Watts,
Naomi White was fouled on the floor and sent to the line as NAU was in the penalty. The redshirt freshman knocked down both with ease to make it 69-65 with 13 seconds to play. Out of the timeout as UCSD searched for a triple, Taylor stripped the shooter for one of her two steals to seal the win.
NAU's 11-0 run in the second period is the 'Jacks' fifth scoring run of ten or more on the season, improving their record to 4-2 when doing so. The Lumberjacks also improve in their all-time serious with the Tritons, 3-0.
Northern Arizona will return to the hardwood on New Years Day when it welcomes Montana to begin Big Sky Conference Play. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain Standard time and will be streamed on ESPN+.
