FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 12, 2026) – Karl Poom scored 21 points and
Diego Campisano added a season-high 18 in Northern Arizona men's basketball's 77-68 loss to Portland State at Findlay Toyota Court at the Walkup Skydome.
The Lumberjacks (9-17, 3-10 Big Sky) held the 32-29 halftime advantage over the first-place Vikings (17-6, 11-1 Big Sky), but were outscored by a dozen in the second half.
"Our daily motto is ETA (effort, toughness and attitude) and I thought we did a good job with that tonight," said head coach
Shane Burcar. "Seven turnovers is a phenomenal job. We were beating a really good team at halftime and we had a chance at the end. I feel for our guys because the effort is there. We battled and we have to look in the mirror to find a way to solve this."
Poom's 21 points – his second 20-point game of the season – came on 8-for-12 shooting. Poom also grabbed a team-best six rebounds. Campisano drained four 3-pointers on his way to his highest scoring output of the season. Together, Poom and Campisano combined to shoot 6-of-12 from behind the arc, although the rest of the team shot only 1-of-15.
The Lumberjacks' cold shooting night from long distance hampered them, as was the Vikings' 61.9% overall field goal percentage. Portland State only shot 3-of-9 from 3-point range, but the Vikings used their size inside to amass a 42-26 scoring advantage in the paint.
NAU blitzed Portland State at the start, using a 13-2 run – capped by a Poom transition dunk off a steal – to take a 16-9 lead less than eight minutes into the game. While the Lumberjacks' offense was clicking, the Vikings' offense was sloppy, resulting in 10 turnovers in the first 10 minutes of play.
The 'Jacks maintained a double-digit lead, 25-15, following a layup by
Brennan Peterson, but an ensuing 9-0 Viking run closed the gap. NAU wound up heading into halftime with the slight edge, largely due to a 48.1% clip from the field and those 10 Portland State turnovers.
Portland State flexed its muscle in the second half, though, shooting 66.7% and holding NAU to only 37.9% shooting. The Vikings also only committed three second half turnovers and were plus-12 in the paint in flipping the game script.
The Vikings immediately regained the lead with a 10-0 run to open the second half and led 46-38 at the 14:29 mark, but could not put away the Lumberjacks. NAU settled in and chipped away at the deficit before tying it up at 53-53 on a Poom jumper midway through the period.
Although NAU remained close trailing 57-55 with 7:23 to play, Portland State essentially put the game away with a 10-2 run over the next three minutes.
Peterson and
Chris Komin combined for nine assists and no turnovers, as NAU was plus-6 in the turnover column (13-7).
Behind Poom and Campisano's double-digit scoring efforts,
Traivar Jackson and
Ryan Abelman each scored eight points apiece. Jackson pulled down three of NAU's eight offensive rebounds.
Jackson, Campisano and
Oakland Fort will be honored prior to Saturday's game versus Sacramento State as part of Senior Day festivities. The Lumberjacks and Hornets will tip-off at 6 p.m. MST inside the Walkup Skydome.
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