OGDEN, Utah (February 7, 2026) – Points were hard to come by for the Northern Arizona men's basketball team Saturday night in the Dee Events Center, as the Lumberjacks fell to Weber State, 72-53.
NAU came out firing, but the Lumberjacks' offense labored through most of the night. NAU shot only 36.7% from the field and 30.4% from long range, with the loss dropping the Lumberjacks' record to 9-16 overall and 3-9 in league play.
"We got out to a great start, but didn't make enough shots in the first half," said head coach
Shane Burcar. "We didn't make shots in the second half and that's not going to get it done. Tonight wasn't our night."
In addition to their offensive struggles, the Lumberjacks also struggled against the Big Sky's top rebounding team on the glass. The Wildcats held a 39-27 rebounding advantage and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds. In the second half alone, Weber State (12-13, 6-6 Big Sky) corralled nine offensive boards and converted into a 9-0 second chance scoring edge.
After NAU got off to a hot start, Weber State claimed a 38-32 halftime lead behind 58.3% shooting in the first 20 minutes.
The Lumberjacks made four of their first five shots from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers from
Isaiah Shaw, to snag an early 13-6 lead four minutes into the game. The Wildcats responded with a 7-0 run to tie the game at 13-13, and later took a 28-23 advantage behind an 8-0 run.
Diego Campisano knocked down a triple and
Karl Poom slammed a dunk on a second chance opportunity to even the score, 30-30, with three minutes to play before the half, but Weber State closed the half with an 8-2 spurt.
Despite the fast offensive start, NAU only managed to shoot 39.3% at the half, including a 5-for-15 showing from behind the 3-point arc.
Unfortunately for the 'Jacks, the second half was difficult as well. Although NAU held Weber State to 38.5% shooting after halftime, the Lumberjacks only shot 33.3%.
NAU opened the half shooting only 1-for-10. During this stretch, Weber State opened up a 50-37 lead and NAU was forced to chase facing a double-digit deficit throughout the remainder of the night.
Shaw was the only Lumberjack to score in double-figures with 10 points, nine of which came in the first half. Shaw netted his seventh double-digit scoring game of the season and with a 3-for-4 showing behind the arc, recorded his fourth game with at least three 3-pointers made.
Poom scored eight points and tied for the team-lead with five rebounds, a number matched by
Ryan Abelman. Abelman led the team with three assists and also notched a block.
Two critical advantages for Weber State were points off turnovers (13-3) and second chance points (13-4), while the Wildcats also were plus-10 in the paint.
The Lumberjacks return to Findlay Toyota Court at the Walkup Skydome next week for their final two-game homestand of the season. NAU hosts Portland State on Thursday and Sacramento State on Saturday at 6 p.m. MST, with the latter serving as Senior Day for Campisano,
Oakland Fort and
Traivar Jackson.
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