Box Score SACRAMENTO – Northern Arizona's Jalen Cone scored 36 of Northern Arizona's 70 points, and the Lumberjacks defeated Sacramento State, 70-65, on Monday evening at Walkup Skydome.
NAU used a 16-2 run midway through the second half that turned a four-point deficit into a 51-41 lead with 9:21 to play. Sacramento State cut the deficit to five points on four separate occasions during the final five minutes, but would get no closer.
The Hornets and Lumberjacks both converted 23 field goals with Sacramento State shooting 47% and NAU shooting 43%. However, the Lumberjacks converted two more free throws and three more 3-pointers.
Cone, who is a sophomore transfer from Virginia Tech and the Big Sky Conference's second leading scorer, put on a display. His 36 points (most by a Hornet opponent this year) came on 10-for-18 shooting from the field, 5-of-10 from the 3-point line and 11-for-12 from the free throw line. He scored 22 of the Lumberjacks' 43 points in the second half.
Cone buried three 3-pointers during NAU's decisive 16-2 run.
Tonight was the finale of the Hornets' run of three road games in five days. Sacramento State dropped to 5-10 overall and 1-7 in the Big Sky. The Hornets will finally get some home cooking when they play five of their next six games at home, beginning on Thursday vs Idaho State at 7 p.m.
Northern Arizona, which was playing its 10th game at home this season and is in the midst of a five-game homestand, improved to 7-11 and 3-4 in league play. Sacramento State is now 4-24 all-time against the Lumberjacks in Flagstaff.
The Hornets outscored the Lumberjacks, 13-0, in second chance points, but allowed NAU 11 offensive rebounds and nine second chance points. The Hornets committed a season-high tying 17 turnovers while tallying 10 assists and nine steals. The Lumberjacks were forced into 14 miscues.
Besides Cone, no other NAU player scored more than six points.
For Sacramento State, Zach Chappell led the way with 24 points and seven rebounds. The junior guard has scored at least 24 points in three of the last five games. He shot 8-for-16 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
He was joined in double figures by Bryce Fowler who had 16 points, four rebounds, four assists and a career-high tying five steals. Cameron Wilbon had eight points, six rebounds and a blocked shot. Rick Barros III, making his first collegiate start, posted career highs in points (8) and minutes (27), going 3-for-5 from the floor and 2-for-4 from the 3-point line.
Center Jonathan Komagum added six points and three rebounds. Marcus Greene provided the Hornets' lone points off the bench with three. William FitzPatrick, who had started each of the first 14 games, did not play tonight because of injury.
Sacramento State will play twice more this week, both at home on Thursday vs. Idaho State and Saturday vs. Weber State. Both games will tip at 7 p.m.
