Jan. 14, 2006
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID --- In a game that featured 16 ties and 25 lead changes, NAU got the last one on a Kelly Golob jumper, the only score off a turnover in the second half for Northern Arizona, and David Schroeder's three to win with 5.5 left rimmed out, giving Northern Arizona an 85-81 win over Idaho State, dropping the Bengals to 0-4 in the Big Sky, while NAU jumps to 4-0.
The game was close throughout, with ISU never leading by more than six, and NAU never by more than two until the final 5.5 seconds.
ISU took their final lead at the 3:35 mark on David Schroeder's fourth three-pointer of the game for a 76-75 lead. Tim Henry then added a free throw, but Kyle Landry responded to tie it up at 77-77 with 2:28 left with a short jumper.
ISU then suffered just their third turnover of the second half when Schroeder's pass to Akbar Abdul-Ahad went through his legs and into the backcourt for a violation, and Kelly Golob made ISU pay with a baseline jumper for an 79-77 NAU lead.
Schroeder then tied it with 1:38 left, but Golob answered again 17 seconds later, and NAU never trailed. ISU looked to tie the game up, but Kasey Winters' short layup was swatted away by Ruben Boykin, Jr. with a minute to go.
Golob missed a three-pointer with 26 seconds left, and ISU went for the win with Schroeder's three from the top of the key, but it rimmed out. NAU's Kyle Landry got the rebound and was fouled, and he made both free throws. Tim Henry cut it back to two at 83-81 with 1.6 left on a layup, but Tyrone Bazy hit two more free throws to end the game.
The free throw shooting was a clinic both ways, with ISU hitting 18-of-21, and NAU hitting 23-of-24, including their first 19 of the game. ISU led at the half 43-40 after shooting .560 from the field, but NAU stayed close by capitalizing on 10 ISU turnovers to the tune of 16 first half points.
Akbar Abdul-Ahad led ISU with 15 points on the night, and Schoeder was right behind with 14. Kasey Winters had 13 and Tim Henry chipped in 12. Bazy led NAU with 17 points, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the line. Golob finished with 13, and Ryan McCurdy and Kyle Landry each had 12.
The two big post stars both had off nights and cancelled each other out. Slim Millien was just 2-for-6 from the field for seven points and six rebounds, while the Lumberjacks' Ruben Boykin, Jr. was just 3-for-10 for eight points and seven rebounds, although he added five assists, and the one key block late.
NAU, who improved to 12-6 and 4-0, winning their sixth straight, outrebounded Idaho State 33-29. The Bengals, who are 7-8 overall and 0-4 in the Big Sky, hit the road for three straight, starting on Thursday night at Eastern Washington, who picked up their first win in league play on Saturday over Portland State. Idaho State, Weber State, and Portland State are all winless so far in Big Sky play.
NOTES: Idaho State has lost six straight, including seven in a row to Division I opponents ... Slim Millien did not block a shot for only the second time this season ... ISU had more assists (15) then turnovers (13) for only the fourth time this season ... ISU hit a season-high 11 three-pointers, four by Schroeder and Abdul-Ahad, two by Tim Henry, and one by Ryan Baumgartner ... no one led in the second half by more than three until the final 5.5 seconds.
