BOISE, Idaho (March 7, 2026) – A last-second shot at the buzzer rattled off the rim as the Northern Arizona women's basketball team fell 61-60 to Montana in the First Round of the Big Sky Championships on Saturday afternoon.
NAU (10-22, 6-12 Big Sky) sees its season come to a close under first-year head coach Laura Dinkins. The Lumberjacks endured a season of ups and downs, with much to look forward to in the 2026-27 season.
Emma Dasovich finished her sophomore season with a career-best outing, going for 16 points and nine rebounds for career-highs in both categories while also dishing two assists.
Naomi White recorded her 19th game scoring 20 points or more as she went for 24 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while
J'Bionna Robinson scored four points, dished four assists, and grabbed four boards with three steals in 32 minutes off the bench.
Montana (9-21, 5-13 Big Sky) was paced by Mack Konig with 17 points on 5-of-9 from the floor, and Kennedy Gillette with 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Griz began the contest hot from the floor, opening a 10-2 lead midway through the opening period. A White triple sparked a 7-0 run for the Jacks, as they closed the quarter on an 11-2 run to make it tied at 13 after the first period, holding the Griz scoreless the last 3:30 of quarter one.
NAU built a four-point lead at the 6:03 mark of the second stanza, in a quarter holding seven of the 10 lead changes in the contest. The Jacks took a slim 29-27 lead into the break following an
Audrey Taylor triple to beat the shot clock on the Jacks' last possession of the half.
The Lumberjacks turned up the defensive pressure in the third, scoring six points off four Montana turnovers in the period. The Griz were unable to capitalize on any NAU miscues in the quarter, and five trips to the foul line allowed the Jacks to build an 8-point lead with 3:05 to go in the period. A 6-0 run from the Griz would then make it a 48-46 game headed to the final frame.
NAU would be held without a field goal in the fourth quarter until just under five minutes to play, as Montana built a six-point advantage with 2:45 to go. Following a White triple and a defensive stop, Robinson drove for two to make it 61-60 with 36 seconds left. NAU was able to get another stop and regain possession with six ticks on the clock, setting up the chance for a game-winner. White then attempted a three from the right corner that rattled off the rim as Montana held on.
Naomi White is the first fresh to lead the conference in scoring since 1998. On Friday, the native of Omaha, Neb. Was named Freshman of the Year as well as First Team All-Conference.
Laura Dinkins joins Laurie Kelly, Meg Saunders, Charlie Turner Thorne, and Dave Brown in the club of NAU head coaches who all reached at least 10 wins in their first year at the helm in Flagstaff.
