FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 10, 2026) – In a game that saw 10 lead changes, UC Irvine managed to slip past the Northern Arizona women's basketball team, 76-74, in the Lumberjacks home opener on Tuesday evening inside Rolle Activity Center on Findlay Toyota Court.
NAU moves to 0-2, while UC Irvine picks up its first win of the season to stand at 1-1.
Aaliyah Smith paced the Lumberjacks with 19 points on 4-of-10 shooting, her second game in double figures, to go along with six assists and three rebounds.
Olivia Moore chipped in 12 points while going 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and
Emma Dasovich flirted with a double-double, collecting nine boards and 10 points.
The 'Jacks were narrowly edged in rebounding, 39-37, but saw their bench once again outscore the opponent, 41-28.
NAU got off to a strong start and led 17-14 after one quarter, as it capitalized on eight second-chance points in the period from four offensive boards. The Anteaters would respond in the second stanza with a 12-0 run to lead 31-25 with 3:27 to play before halftime. A triple from
Leah Bullard in the last seconds of the quarter made it a three-point game, but not before a pair of free throws from UCI gave the visitors a 37-32 lead after 20 minutes of action.
A quick 5-0 run gave the Anteaters a double-digit lead early in the third quarter, but the 'Jacks responded with an 11-1 run to make it a 43-43 game at the midway point of the period, capped by a 3-pointer from
Layla Davis. After a
Morgan Hawkins' layup gave NAU a brief lead, UC Irvine responded and maintained a slim 58-56 edge heading to the final frame.
The fourth period proved to be the most competitive, as it saw six ties and two lead changes. With just under five minutes to play, a triple from Moore gave the 'Jacks their first lead of the quarter, and NAU was able to hold an advantage until a pair of free throws and layup on back-to-back possessions swung momentum back in UCI's favor at the 1:51 mark of the period. Into the final minute, the contest came down to converting at the foul line, and NAU found itself down two with 7.8 seconds left and one last possession. With the hot hand throughout the game, Smith got a good look at a three for the win but couldn't connect.
NAU will head west next to face Fresno State on the road on Saturday, Nov. 14. Tipoff with the Bulldogs is set for 1 p.m. MST and will be streamed on ESPN+.
