Lumberjacks clawed by Grizzlies

Northern Arizona University visited the University of Montana for a quarterfinal matchup on Saturday, March 6. The NAU Lumberjacks never saw a lead ahead of the Grizzlies and did not manage to even tie the score at any point in the game. The fifth seeded ’Jacks loss put them at an overall record of 14-14 for the season, leaving a spot open for the Grizzlies to continue on to the semifinals.
NAU’s best scoring average came from junior Cameron Jones with 21 points, becoming the 25th player in NAU history to reach 1,000 career points.
The Grizzlies largest lead was 23 points in the second half but NAU narrowed the gap, if slightly, by the end of the game. UM’s Anthony Johnson led the game with 22 points, UM scoring the first seven points of the game. NAU had nine turnovers in the first half and no attempts at the free throw line.
The Grizzlies out-rebounded the Lumberjacks 18-10 within the first 20 minutes. NAU shot 52 percent in the first 20 minutes, 42 percent in the second half and 46 percent overall. UM shot slightly better with 48 percent in the first half, 50 percent in the second half, and 49 percent overall. The Lumberjacks lost to the Grizzlies 81-60.
The UM Grizzlies will take on number 2 seed Northern Colorado University on Tuesday, March, 9 at 4:35 in the Dee Events Center. Both games on Tuesday will be aired on Altitude TV, with the Championship game on Wednesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. airing on ESPN.