FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 18, 2026) – Taking on its alternate identity as the Astrojacks for the first of two games this week, Northern Arizona men's basketball begins a four-game homestand on Monday against Montana at 6 p.m. MST at Findlay Toyota Court at the Walkup Skydome.
Tickets can be purchased at this
link.
Mitch Strohman and
James Malamas will be on the call both on
ESPN+ and the Northern Arizona Healthcare NAU Lumberjack Radio Network. The pregame radio show begins at 5:30 p.m. MST. All students in attendance will receive an Astrojacks tote bag.
The Astrojacks campaign was created last year to honor Flagstaff's lunar legacy, space science roots, and its distinction as the world's first International Dark Sky City. The alternate identity pays tribute to the discovery of Pluto – made right in Flagstaff – and the region's deep ties to the U.S. space program.
Fans may bid on the game-worn Astrojacks jerseys through Sunday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. MST. To enter the
jersey auction, fans must text "NAUHOOPS" to 855-800-4975, and will subsequently receive a registration link.
The Astrojacks are aiming for a successful launch, and a reversal of fortunes, with a return to their home court where they are 6-3 this season. NAU (6-13) fell to Sacramento State, 83-69, and Portland State, 63-52, on the road last week, extending its skid to six consecutive to open conference play.
"We have not been outcompeted, but we have been outexecuted and the record would tell you that," said head coach
Shane Burcar. "But we have hope and promise, not without challenges, and we can't wait to get back home and play in front of our home crowd. We'll be ready to go on Monday night."
To get back in the win column, NAU will hope to jumpstart its offense, which is averaging a conference-low 66.2 points per game in Big Sky games. The Astrojacks have only eclipsed 70 points once in conference play and twice overall dating back to the start of December. NAU has played without
Zack Davidson, its leading scorer at 14.0 points per game, the last two weeks and were without its second-leading scorer
Ryan Abelman on Saturday at Portland State as well.
In their absence, the duo of
Traivar Jackson and
Karl Poom has stepped up in the scoring department of late. Jackson has scored in double-figures in three of his last four games, averaging 12.3 points per game in this stretch, and Poom is riding a three-game double-digit scoring streak in which is he averaging 15.7 points. Additionally,
Brennan Peterson is averaging 9.5 points per game, and a team-leading 4.5 assists, over his last four games while shooting 44.0% from 3-point range.
NAU will take on the Big Sky's leader in points allowed during conference play in Montana. The Grizzlies are allowing a conference-low 71.6 points per game in Big Sky play on the heels of an opponent field goal percentage of 40.7%, which is also best in the league. Montana is averaging 75.4 points per game in conference games, and is shooting 48.8% as a team overall this season.
The reigning Big Sky champions are on a two-game skid themselves entering Monday, as the Grizzlies are coming off a 76-67 loss to Montana State on Saturday. The Grizzlies are 9-9 overall and 3-2 in Big Sky play, including a win over NAU, 78-64, on Jan. 1 in Missoula. The teams' first meeting was the conference opener for both teams. Montana has won six straight meetings over NAU and two straight in Flagstaff.
Money Williams leads the Big Sky in scoring both in league play (22.4) and overall (19.4), the latter of which ranks 50th in the country. NAU held him to only 11 points in its first meeting this season. Brooklyn Hicks led the Grizzlies against the 'Jacks earlier this month with 15 points to pace five double-digit scorers.
Abelman scored a team-high 13 points against the Grizzlies in the first meeting, while
Chris Komin scored 10 points off the bench. Jackson led all players wtih 10 rebounds.
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