FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 15, 2026) – The Northern Arizona women's basketball team allowed a season-high 49 rebounds from Sacramento State and fell to the Hornets, 78-59, on Thursday evening on Findlay Toyota Court inside the Walkup Skydome.
NAU (6-12, 2-3 Big Sky) was paced by
Naomi White (17 points, five rebounds, four steals), and
Madison Watts (15 points, two rebounds, one steal). Watts secured her points on 5-of-8 shooting, her seventh outing this season shooting 50% or better from the floor.
J'Bionna Robinson also produced five points and five steals off the bench in 27 minutes, her third game this year with five or more steals.
Sacramento State (9-8, 3-1 Big Sky) was led by Rubi Gray with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds on 10-of-19 shooting, including 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. NAU won the turnover battle, 22-14, and capitalized on 21 points from those miscues to the Hornets' 15, but was outrebounded 49-24, including 14 offensive boards from Sacramento State.
NAU began strong defensively, holding the Hornets without a field goal until three minutes into the game. Both sides struggled offensively in the opening period, as the 'Jacks held a slim 12-11 lead after 10 minutes of action. Sacramento State locked down and shot 50% in the second stanza, including 62.5% from 3-point range to outscore NAU 24-10 in the period.
The Hornets were then able to continue their defensive efforts as they led by double digits throughout the second half. The Lumberjacks got as close as 11, when a Robinson steal and layup made it 44-33 late in the third quarter, but the Hornets closed the period on a 14-7 run to push their lead back to over 15, allowing them to run away with the game in the fourth quarter.
With the loss, NAU also sees a four-game win streak over the Hornets come to an end.
NAU will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 17 when it welcomes Portland State. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MST and will be streamed on ESPN+.
