The Lumberjacks, which improved to 17-8 overall and 8-4 in the Big Sky, shot 52.2 percent (12-23) from the field and 62.5 percent (5-8) from beyond the arc in the second half to break open what had been a three-point game at the half (24-21 in NAU’s favor).

With the loss, the Hornets dropped to 7-18 and 3-9 in the conference as the team has now lost five straight after winning on the road at Eastern Washington (Feb. 3) and Portland State (Feb. 5).

Sacramento State remains in a two-way tie for sixth place in the league standings with Montana State, which also lost today. However, the Hornets own the tie-breaker over MSU for the sixth and final spot into the Big Sky Tournament with just two games remaining on the schedule. The top six squads in the eight-team Big Sky Conference reach the postseason tournament as the Hornets are looking for their first appearance since the 1996-97 season.

Northern Arizona finished the game shooting 44.9 percent (22-49) from the floor as Nicky Eason (14 points and a team-high eight rebounds) and Alyssa Wahl (11 points and a team-high four steals) joined Metz in double figures. Eason and Metz combined for 22 of the Lumberjacks’ 36 second-half points as NAU led in double figures for the final 7:25 of the contest.

Sacramento State’s Ashley Cadotte finished one rebound shy of her third double-double of the season with team highs in points (13) and rebounds (nine). Cadotte (6-for-9), Cindy Alldrin (11 points on 4-of-7 shooting) and Katelyn Ciampi (seven points on 3-of-5 shooting) were the only Hornets to shoot above .500 from the floor as the team finished the game shooting .388.

Sacramento State went ahead, 32-31, with 14:35 remaining in the contest before NAU cracked off a 15-2 run over the next 7:10 to take a commanding 46-34 lead with 7:25 remaining. The Lumberjacks never led by anything less than 10 points the rest of the way. Three-pointers by Metz, Eason and Wahl highlighted the 15-2 run.

Sacramento State’s leading scorer Tyeisha Brown (10.3 ppg) missed the game with an injury suffered last Saturday at Montana State.

The Hornets conclude the regular season next week as the team hosts Portland State (Thursday, March 3) and Eastern Washington (Saturday, March 5). Sacramento State seniors Samania Black, Kristine Knowlton and Brown will be honored for their contributions to the program prior to the Eastern Washington game on Saturday.