For the fifth time in six games, Northern Arizona junior Amy Patton surpassed 20 points, finishing with a game-high 21, but Northern Colorado shot 53.5 percent for the game en route to a 75-63 win over NAU on Monday.
The Bears improved to 18-10 overall and 10-5 in the Big Sky, while the Lumberjacks dropped to 3-12 in conference play and 8-20 overall.
“We struggled to score overall and didn’t shoot the ball great,” NAU head coach Laurie Kelly said. “I don’t think we had a great attitude sometimes, and it’s hard trying to battle uphill when the other team is making a bunch of shots. I thought Amy really showed how much she wanted to win by stepping up and making some big plays down the stretch.”
NAU jumped out to an early 4-0 lead before the Bears responded with a 16-2 run and never looked back. Down 23-13, Patton hit a 3 and made a layup to bring the home team back within five points at 23-18 with 7:37 to play in the first half before Northern Colorado built its lead to 12 points at 31-19 following an 8-1 spurt. NAU closed the half strong, outscoring the Bears 9-2 over the last four minutes of the half to go into the locker room down just five points at 33-28.
Northern Colorado opened the second half on a 9-2 spurt to regain to a 12-point advantage. The visitors' lead would swell to 17 points at 52-35 with 9:22 to play. NAU would make a late push, getting to within 62-54 with four minutes to play, but could get no close as the Bears finished off the win.
Patton added three rebounds, two blocks and a steal to go with her 21 points, while sophomore Trinidee Trice also finished in double figures with 10 points off the bench. Freshman Erikka Banks added nine points and two rebounds, and junior Tyler Stephen-Jenkins had team highs of five rebounds, four steals, and two blocks.
Northern Colorado sophomore D’shara Strange totaled 21 points and nine rebounds to lead three Bears in double figures.
NAU shot 43.1 percent for the game but was unable to slow the UNC attack, as the Bears shot 60.9 percent in the second half. The Lumberjacks did force 23 turnovers while committing just 16 of their own but committed 23 fouls that led to 31 free throws for the visitors, who converted 24 of those attempts. NAU had 43 of its 63 points scored come off its bench, with 40 coming from Banks, Patton, and Trice. Northern Colorado held a 36-20 rebounding advantage.
The Lumberjacks complete their season at 6:35 p.m. Saturday against Montana. Seniors Caty Huntington and Katie Pratt will be honored prior to their final collegiate game.
