FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 17, 2026) – After 14 lead changes, a 10-0 run in the final minutes of the game propelled the Northern Arizona women's basketball team over Portland State, 80-68, on Saturday afternoon on Findlay Toyota Court inside the Walkup Skydome.
For the first time this season, four Lumberjacks scored in double figures, led by
Madison Watts with 17 points of 6-of-8 shooting.
Naomi White (15),
Audrey Taylor (14), and
Simone Morris (13) rounded out the offensive attack for NAU. Watts also flirted with a double-double as she pulled down a game-high nine boards and dished two assists and shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. The sophomore has now shot over 50% in eight games, and is shooting 48.4% for the season.
NAU (7-12, 3-3 Big Sky) snaps a two-game skid, while Portland State falls to 5-12 and 1-4 in league games. The Vikings were paced by Kyleigh Brown and Hannah Chicken, each with 16 points. The Lumberjacks shot 43.8% for the contest, including a season-high 19-of-20 (95%) from the foul line, and held edges in rebounding (41 to 36), turnovers (11 to 16), and scored 24 points off PSU's miscues.
Neither side could build a substantial lead in the opening 20 minutes. An 11-0 run from PSU in the first quarter gave the Vikings their largest lead of the game at 11-6 halfway through the period. NAU held a slim 36-33 lead at halftime, as both sides were deadlocked in field goal percentage after 20 minutes of play.
The third period continued in similar fashion, but with a lone lead change and three ties. It was PSU with a 54-52 lead going into the fourth quarter, where NAU would outscore the Vikings 28-14 and commit just one turnover in the period. A Morris triple gave NAU a 62-60 lead with just over six minutes to play, and although the Vikings responded with an and-one on the other end, a pair of White free-throws sparked the 10-0 run to put the game away. The Lumberjacks made four of their final six shots while forcing PSU to miss four of its final six field goals.
With today's victory, NAU improves its record to 7-1 when leading at halftime and picks up its first win when trailing at the start of the fourth quarter this season. Additionally, Laura Dinkins is now 2-0 against head coaches also in their first year.
NAU hits the road for a quick turnaround to play Montana in Missoula on Monday, Jan. 19. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MST and will be streamed on ESPN+.
