Northern Arizona Falls to Jacksonville State

Northern Arizona is much improved this year, but they still have a ways to go to be a contender in the Big Sky. They showed that on Friday, with a tight, 50-48 loss to Jacksonville State in Las Vegas.

Jacksonville State would snag the lead right back two minutes later, but a pair of free throws by freshman DeWayne Russell inched the Lumberjacks back within one with eight seconds remaining, 49-48. After JSU's Tarvin Gaines made just one-of-two from the line on the ensuing possession, the Lumberjacks pushed the ball down the court for final possession. However, Rogers' pass to a wide-open Gaellan Bewernick under the basket was deflected as time expired, sealing up the 50-48 victory for the Gamecocks.

NAU held Jacksonville State to 33% shooting, but they were done in by 19 turnovers, allwoing the Gamecocks to shoot 28 free throws, and the lack of a third scoring threat.

Gabe Rogers led the Lumberjacks with 22 points on 6/15 shooting, his second consecutive 20 point game. DeWayne Russell chipped in 10. Beyond that, big man Ephraim Ekanem had eight points, but he is not a guy that will create shots himself. That third guy to take the pressure off was missing. Nobody else had more than four points.

Northern Arizona falls to 1-3, and they will travel to take on Arizona next week.

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