FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Northern Arizona finished the game on a 14-9 run to turn a very close game into a 70-61 victory over Sacramento State on Saturday afternoon at Findlay Toyota Center.

In a game where neither team led by more than 11 points, and both teams had 11-0 runs in the first half, Northern Arizona made some big baskets late and took advantage of some uncharacteristic misses from the Hornets. Sacramento State, a 71% free throw shooting team, finished 13-of-22 (59%) from the charity stripe.

In addition, the Hornets finished with 34 points in the paint, but could have easily finished with over 50 interior points. The Hornets missed 20 layups - most of them highly contested - but shots that Sacramento State usually converts.

With the Hornets trailing by just four points (56-52) and five minutes to play, NAU went on a 10-3 run to take its largest lead of the contest at 66-55 with 43 second remaining. Sacramento State made things interesting after Austin Patterson buried back-to-back 3-pointers within a 12-second span to get within, 66-61. However, NAU would score the game's final four points, including a meaningless dunk by Trenton McLaughlin with one second left.

Sacramento State dropped to 6-13 overall and 2-4 in Big Sky Conference play. Five of the team's six Big Sky games have been decided by single digits, four of which by three points or less. This afternoon concluded a road trip that saw Sacramento State fall at Northern Colorado, 77-75, after a potential game-winning 3-ball was missed at the buzzer.

Northern Arizona (9-10, 2-3) completes a 2-0 homestand that included a 19-point win over Portland State on Thursday. The Lumberjacks are 5-0 at home, as Flagstaff (and its elevation of 7,000 feet) is always a tough place to play.

Both teams shot 37% from the field, and both had 41 rebounds, but NAU made two more 3-pointers and went 20-for-24 (83%) from the free throw line. The two teams combined for just 15 turnovers (SAC 8, NAU 7), and the Hornets held advantages in paint points (34-30), second chance points (13-9) and bench points (16-3).

Patterson finished one shy of his season high with 16 points. He shot 4-for-6 from distance, and made all four of the Hornets' 3-pointers while adding five rebounds and a block. Duncan Powell scored in double figures for the sixth straight game, finishing with 13 points (7-9 FT) and seven rebounds. Jacob Holt had eight points and four rebounds, Emil Skytta eight points, three assists and three steals, and Bowyn Beatty six points and seven rebounds. Four of Beatty's rebounds came on the offensive glass.

Zee Hamoda added six points and six rebonds. Six different Hornets had at least four rebounds, including Alex Kovatchev who finished with two points and four boards. Akol Mawein had two points and three rebounds.

Sacramento State is back at home next week for games on Thursday vs. Montana State, and Saturday vs. Montana. Both games will tip at 6 p.m. Students are back in session at Sacramento State next week, and Thursday will be Greek Night.