FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 14, 2026) – On Senior Night, the longest-tenured Lumberjack had one of his finest performances.
Diego Campisano notched his first career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, guiding the Northern Arizona men's basketball team to a 79-74 victory Saturday night over Sacramento State.
"I'm really happy that we were able to walk off the court on Senior Night with a win," said head coach
Shane Burcar. "Much respect to
Traivar Jackson,
Oakland Fort and
Diego Campisano and they all contributed tonight. Our crowd was awesome too and there was a buzz for our seniors. It sure is nice to leave here with a win."
Prior to the game, Jackson, Fort and Campisano were recognized during the Senior Night festivities and then Campisano put on for the crowd. Campisano tied a season-high with 18 points, coming up a point shy of his career-high, and pulled down a career-best 11 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.
In the first half alone, as the Lumberjacks (10-17, 4-10 Big Sky) built a 20-point lead, Campisano had 12 points and seven boards with the latter already tying his previous career-high at the break.
"I would not want my Senior Night to end in a loss for sure," said Campisano, who is in his fifth year as a Lumberjack. The support of my family means everything and the Lumberjack fan base has been great to me. I've been here for five years and I've built great relationships with the fans."
NAU built its 20-point lead behind a 15-0 scoring run during which five different players scored. During this run, the Lumberjacks held the Hornets scoreless for more than eight minutes as NAU's early advantage ballooned to 29-9 with 5:48 remaining before halftime.
Sacramento State misfired on 16 of its first 18 shots from the field before catching a rhythm before the break. Jayden Teat's 3-pointer halted the Hornets' scoring drought and started a stretch in which Sacramento State made 5-of-7 from the field to close the half.
Fort closed the first half with a driving layup, but after leading by 20, the Lumberjacks' halftime lead sat at 38-25. NAU shot 50.0% in the first half, while Sacramento State shot 28.0%.
Karl Poom, who netted 17 points on the night, opened the second period with back-to-back buckets to increase NAU's advantage to 42-25, but Sacramento State followed with a 9-0 run to cut its deficit to single digits for the first time since the 11:35 mark of the first half.
Sacramento State (9-16, 5-8 Big Sky) managed to close to four points at 59-55 with 5:28 to play and got within four on two other occasions inside five minutes to play. However, on Senior Night, NAU's true freshman duo of
Brennan Peterson and
Chris Komin provided a pair of daggers. Peterson and Komin each knocked down a pair of critical 3-pointers with the Lumberjacks' lead trimmed to four, keeping the Hornets at a distance.
"Brennan and Chris had been struggling, but they're confident young players," Burcar said. "Those shots were pure and that's what we want from those true freshmen. It says a lot about them and they're hard to guard at the end of a game because they also make free throws."
Peterson and Komin, who each scored in double-figures as well and combined for 25 points, each had perfect trips to the free throw line in the final minute to help NAU seal the victory. In all, NAU converted on 7-of-8 at the charity stripe down the stretch.
The Lumberjacks shot 49.0% for the game compared to the Hornets' 44.6% clip. Despite having only one fewer turnover than Sacramento State, NAU was plus-6 in points off turnovers, proving to be critical in the five-point victory.
NAU will play a single game next week, returning to the hardwood for a road game at Northern Colorado next Saturday, Feb. 21.
Stay up to date with Northern Arizona men's basketball by following the Lumberjacks on
X and
Instagram.
