Men’s Basketball Clinches Big Sky Regular Season Title
Men’s Basketball Clinches Big Sky Regular Season Title
(02/25/2006) SACRAMENTO, Calif. - When Portland State defeated Montana Saturday afternoon, the Northern Arizona University men’s basketball team clinched the Big Sky Conference regular season title for the fourth time in school history. But the Lumberjacks left nothing to chance later in the afternoon with a 92-72 win over Sacramento State to improve to 20-8, 12-1.
“It is a great feeling,” said Head Coach Mike Adras. “Big Sky Champs sounds pretty nice. I am very proud of the guys. We did not get off to a good start but we played well in the final 32 minutes.”
Ruben Boykin, Jr., had a game-high 21 points for NAU among five player in double figures. Kyle Landry had 16 points off the bench, while Kelly Golob added 15 points. Tyrone Bazy contributed 13 points and Ryan McCurdy scored 11 in the win.
The Lumberjacks trailed in the contest for the first 13 minutes before building a 12-point halftime advantage. Shooting 60.9 percent from the field in the second half, NAU never trailed again in the game.
NAU entered the day needing a win or a loss my Montana to clinch the regular season title.
NAU now earns the right to host the league’s postseason tournament with an NCAA Tournament berth on the line. The Lumberjacks have guaranteed an NIT berth by claiming the Big Sky Conference regular season title. NAU also won regular season titles in 1985-86, 1996-97 and 1997-98.
The 2006 Summit Center Men’s Big Sky Conference Tournament presented by Pepsi will be held March 7-8 in the J.L. Walkup Skydome. Game times for the semifinals are set for 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7 with the tournament finals at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8. All seats in the Skydome will be reserved. The championship game is on ESPN2.
The Big Sky Tournament will be held at the Skydome for the fourth time, and the first time since 1998. NAU played host to the tournament in 1987, but the Lumberjacks lost a first-round game to Nevada 82-80. Idaho State, the No. 7 seed, beat Nevada 92-81 in the championship game in front of 3,752. The tourney returned to the Skydome in 1997. NAU lost in the semifinals to Cal State Northridge 86-79. Montana beat Cal State Northridge 82-79 in the championship game in front of 2,390 fans. Northern Arizona hosted again in 1998, beating Montana State in the championship 77-50 in front of 5,022.
NAU closes out the regular season on Monday at Montana at 7 p.m. The game can be seen in the Flagstaff market on channels 4 and 59.
WOO HOO!!
:notworthy