After Northern Arizona (20-8, 12-1) missed seven of its first eight shots of the game, the Lumberjacks found their rhythm and knocked down 26 of their final 39 field goal attempts. NAU shot 57.4 percent (27-47) from the field, 54.5 percent (6-11) from beyond the arc and 82.1 percent (32-39) from the free-throw line in what turned out to be a shooting clinic. The Big Sky championship for Northern Arizona was the team’s first since the 1996-97 season, and the squad will host the Big Sky Tournament semifinal (March 7) and championship rounds (March 8) in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Sacramento State (14-13, 5-8) has lost eight of its last nine games, and suffered its most lopsided loss against Big Sky competition this season (20-point defeat). The Hornets have lost each of their last five home games, although four of those losses came by three points or less. Sacramento State has already clinched a spot in the Big Sky Tournament (the top six teams in the eight-member league advance). The team still has a chance to host a Big Sky Tournament quarterfinal game if Idaho State loses to Eastern Washington and the Hornets defeat Montana State in Bozeman, Mont., in the regular season finale Monday night (Feb. 27).

The 20-point defeat for Sacramento State was the team’s worst loss at home during head coach Jerome Jenkins’ tenure (2000-pres.) and the worst since the 1999-00 season. The team’s five-game losing streak at home is the longest since the 2002-03 season.

After the Hornets took a 21-19 lead with 7:56 remaining in the first half on a free throw from DaShawn Freeman, NAU went on a 29-15 run to close the half and enter the break with a 48-36 lead. Boykin, Jr. scored eight points during the run and Kelly Golob knocked down three-pointers on back-to-back possessions in the closing minute of the half to give the Lumberjacks momentum going into the break.

Northern Arizona built its lead to 16 points (64-48) with 12:27 remaining in the contest before the Hornets went on a 15-4 run to close within five points (73-68) with 6:14 remaining. Steals and subsequent layups from Alex Bausley on back-to-back NAU possessions highlighted the run and a layup from Freeman drew the Hornets to within five points of the lead. However, NAU answered by scoring points on each of its next five possessions to put the game away. Sacramento State scored just two points during the final 3:28 of the contest and NAU knocked down six free throws and two jumpers during the final 1:55 to record the game-high 20-point margin of victory.

Boykin, Jr. finished 9-of-12 from the floor and was joined in double figures by Kyle Landry (16 points, 10-of-11 from the free throw line), Golob (15 points, six rebounds), Tyrone Bazy (13 points, three steals, 9-of-10 from the line) and Ryan McCurdy (11 points). Sacramento State was whistled for 29 fouls in the contest (one shy of the team’s season high), sending NAU to the line 22 times in the first half and 17 times in the second half.

Sacramento State shot 42.1 percent (24-57) from the field, 50.0 percent (5-10) from beyond the arc and 76.0 percent (19-25) from the charity stripe while being outrebounded, 32-26.

The Hornets had four players score in double figures, comprised of senior Jason Harris (16 points), juniors Alex Bausley (12 points, four rebounds and three steals) and Haron Hargrave (12 points), and Freeman (10 points, four assists and three steals). Sacramento State was outscored, 48-36, in the first half and 44-36 in the second half.

Tonight’s contest marked the final regular-season home game of the season for Sacramento State. Seniors Freeman, Harris, Chris Lange, Zane Beekman and Aaron Perry were each honored prior to the game for their contributions to the program.

The Hornets will travel to Bozeman, Mont., tomorrow morning and take on the Bobcats of Montana State on Monday, Feb. 27, at 6:05 p.m. PST. Montana State defeated the Hornets earlier this year in Sacramento by the score of 78-75. The Hornets have defeated the Bobcats in Bozemen twice in the last three years.