FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 1, 2025) – Northern Arizona Basketball (16-14, 7-10) battled their way back from a 22-point deficit to come within three of the Northern Colorado Bears (22-8, 14-3) on Saturday night at Findlay Toyota Court, falling short as the Bears closed out the game with a ten-point margin.
Following a steady start, the Jacks went into the first media break of the game with an 11-11 tie as
Ryan Abelman accounted for seven of NAU's first 11 points. A 5-0 spurt for the Bears would end as
Leigh Rickwood-Pitt knocked down his first field goal of the game, sending the game into the under-12 media timeout, sparking a 5-0 run for the Jacks in response. Four late-half turnovers for Northern Arizona in 3:35 minutes on the floor would prove to be costly, allowing the Bears to cushion their lead out to 11 heading into locker rooms, 44-33.
The first half saw 62.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc from the NAU squad, as
Trent McLaughlin went 3-for-6 himself, alongside one from Abelman, and one from
Jayden Jackson. The Bears shot 62.1 percent from the field in the first frame, led by 16 points from Langston Reynolds and 10 from Jaron Rillie.
Carson Towt picked up seven first-half boards while grabbing three steals.
McLaughlin took a 2-for-4 start to the second half, leading the Jacks with 19 as they trailed 54-39 coming out of the first media break. A scoreless stretch nearing three minutes for NAU would force the Jacks into a timeout, looking to bounce back from a 58-40 deficit. The Bears shot 60.0 percent on their first ten attempts from the field to start the second half, outlasting the Jacks 18-7 to commence the second frame.
An 18-5 run from Northern Arizona would give the Lumberjacks life heading into the final few minutes of the game as Towt, Jackson, and McLaughlin accounted for all but two of those points. One of McLaughlin's five triples of the night came with 2:20 to play, bringing NAU within five. The Bears held onto their lead and closed out the game with a 62.5 field goal percentage.
NAU forced nine second-half turnovers on Northern Colorado's offense, while UNC led the game inside the paint finishing +8. McLaughlin once again tabbed his career high in scoring, posting 35 points on 13-of-23 shooting, finishing 50.0 percent from beyond the arc as well. Towt closed out his night with four steals, a game-high 14 rebounds, and nine points. Jackson shot 55.5 percent from the field, finishing with 15 points.
NAU Basketball will now head to Pocatello, Idaho to take on the Idaho State Bengals for a Monday night meeting to wrap up the regular season slate of Big Sky Conference play before heading to Boise to compete in the Big Sky Conference Championship Tournament. To stay up to date with NAU Basketball, follow the Jacks on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
