Big Sky

Lumberjacks top Sacramento State to end 7-game skid

Published Feb. 23, 2018 9:54 a.m. ET

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. --Jojo Anderson scored all 15 of his points in the final 12 minutes and Northern Arizona hit 14 more free throws than Sacramento State to secure a 58-53 victory on Thursday night at the Rolle Activity Center.

Anderson sank four of his six shots, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, for the Lumberjacks (5-23, 2-13 Big Sky Conference), who snapped a seven-game losing streak. Karl Harris scored 11, Torry Johnson added 10 points for NAU, which made 19 of 24 attempts (79 percent) from the line, compared with 5 of 9 for the Hornets (6-22, 3-12).

Kevin Hicks hit four 3-pointers and scored 14 to pace Sacramento State. Bryce Fowler added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Izayah Mauriohoohoo-Le'Afa also scored 11.

It was a cold-shooting affair with NAU connecting on 35 percent from the floor and 36 percent from distance. The Hornets made just 35 percent from the floor and 31 percent from beyond the arc.

The Lumberjacks rallied for the win after trailing by nine points at halftime, claiming the lead for good at 54-53 on a layup by sophomore Brooks DeBisschop with 53 seconds left.

“We can be a really strong team when we play together and united as a unit, that’s what makes winners and I am really proud of the effort and dedication to the game plan the guys exhibited tonight,” NAU head coach Jack Murphy said. “It is not about one guy, it is about playing team defense, and we did that tonight.”

NAU finished the game by outscoring the Hornets 40-26 over the final 20 minutes following a first half that saw the Lumberjacks match their season-low point total for a half with 18 and hit on just a pair of field goals over the final 9:30.

The Hornets’ leading scorer Justin Strings managed just three points while making just 1-of-14 field goal attempts. Strings entered the contest averaging 18.3 points per game and had scored in double figures for 47 consecutive games.

The Lumberjacks close out the home portion of the regular-season slate with the annual Senior Night game on Saturday, Feb. 24, against Portland State at 6 p.m.

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