BOZEMAN, Mont. (March 2, 2026) – A 17-0 third quarter run allowed Montana State to pull away from the Northern Arizona women's basketball team as it fell 68-48 to the Bobcats on Monday inside Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
Naomi White became the NAU single-season record holder for three-pointers made in the contest, as she passed Kenna McDavis's previous mark of 87 in the 2017-2018 season with 90 triples on the year after tonight.
The redshirt freshman recorded 21 points, six boards, and four steals to pace the Jacks, while
Audrey Taylor tallied seven points, three rebounds and three steals and
Layla Davis scored five points, grabbed eight boards and blocked four shots to tie her career high.
Taylee Chirrick led the Cats with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven steals. The Lumberjacks coughed up a season-high 32 turnovers but outrebounded the Bobcats 43-37 and held a 12-7 edge in fast-break points.
NAU struggled to take care of the ball early, as it recorded nine turnovers and just five points in the opening period to trail 14-5 after one quarter. Montana State reached a 28-9 lead at the 3:25 mark of the second period as NAU's shooting woes continued, but the Jacks were able to convert on five of their last six attempts from the floor to close the quarter and trail by single digits at the half, 33-24 as each squad scored 19 points in the period.
Momentum carried through the break, as the Jacks opened the third period on a 9-0 run to tie the game at 33 off a White jumper, capping a 12-0 run that bridged the halves at the 7:22 mark of the third quarter. The Bobcats then began their 17-0 run, making eight of their last 15 field goals in the period after missing five straight shots to begin the third and take a 54-35 lead into the final quarter.
The Jacks produced their best shooting percentage in the fourth quarter of 45.5%, but nine turnovers in the quarter allowed MSU to keep its distance and close out the game.
NAU finishes the regular season 10-21 and 6-12 in Big Sky Conference games, securing the No. 7 seed in the Big Sky Championships this upcoming weekend, while Montana State improves to 23-6 and 16-2 in league games, grabbing the No. 2 seed in the tournament.
The No. 7 Lumberjacks will face No. 8 Montana in the First Round of the Big Sky Championships on Saturday, March 7. Tipoff with the Griz is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. MST, in Boise, Idaho at Idaho Central Arena and will be streamed on ESPN+.
