FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 5, 2026) – The Northern Arizona women's basketball team took a 58-56 lead into the final quarter, but the Astrojacks were outscored 23-12 by Idaho State in the fourth period and fell to Idaho State, 79-70, on Thursday night on Findlay Toyota Court inside the Walkup Skydome.
Four players scored in double figures to pace NAU (7-17, 3-8 Big Sky), led by
Naomi White with 21 points and five rebounds and
Madison Watts with her second double-double on the season by way of 13 points and 11 rebounds on 4-of-6 from the floor.
Emma Dasovich and
Kayla Williams rounded out the scoring with 12 and 13 points, respectively, while
Audrey Taylor knocked down three triples for nine points and dished five assists.
Idaho State (15-7, 8-3 Big Sky) was led by Kacey Spink (17 points) and Piper Carlson (16 points). The Bengals committed just 10 turnovers and capitalized on 18 points from 17 NAU miscues.
The Astrojacks got off to a stellar start, leading 16-4 midway through the first period as they made four of their first seven attempts from the floor while ISU started 1-of-7. The Bengals trimmed the deficit slowly into the second, taking the lead with just over a minute to go before halftime at 37-36. The final chaotic seconds of the quarter ended with a heaved triple from White that found the bottom of the net to put NAU up 41-40 at the break.
Momentum shifted back and forth in the third as the Bengals grew a five-point advantage midway through the period before an 11-0 run rocketed the Astrojacks back in front at 58-52 with two minutes to go in the quarter.
Although the Bengals missed their first shot of the fourth, an offensive rebound and putback tied the contest and would spark a string of four straight made baskets and an overall stretch of 6-of-8 from the floor to lead by eight with 5:38 to play. Although the Jacks made three of their five final shots, they could not snap out of trading baskets before time expired.
The Astrojacks remain in the galaxy of Flagstaff and will welcome Weber State on Saturday, Feb. 7. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MST and will be streamed on ESPN+.
