FLAGSTAFF, AZ -- A tough battle ends in heartbreak for the SUU Men's Basketball team as they fall at the buzzer to Northern Arizona, 74-76. 

Game Recap
With eight seconds left in the ball game, SUU trailed by three 71-74. Braden Housley knocked down a triple that would tie the ball game at 74. After a quick time out the Lumberjacks inbounded the ball to Oakland Fort with six seconds remaining, Fort was able to get to rim and attempt a layup that bounced off the front of the rim and Jayden Jackson was there to tap in the missed layup just before the final buzzer sounded. The Lumberjacks have won three straight games with buzzer-beaters. 

The Thunderbirds fall to 3-7 on the year. 

Statistical Recap
SUU once again had five players score in double figures. However, this time it was UTEP transfer Jamari Sibley, who was making his first appearance for the Thunderbirds after getting clearance from the two-time transfer rule. Sibley had 15 points off the bench with seven rebounds and three steals. SUU was led by Dominique Ford who poured in 19 points on 4-10 from three. He also led the team with five assists on the night. 

Parsa Fallah had another fantastic performance, securing a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, including five offensive. He also led the team with two blocks in the contest. Zion Young had 12 and Braden Housley had 11. 

The Thunderbirds as a team shot 42% from the floor and just 27% from three. They won the rebounding battle by six and doubled up the Lumberjacks in points off turnovers. However, lost the battle of points in the paint by 10. 

SUU continues to struggle defensively as they allowed NAU to shoot 53% from the floor and 42% from three. Three players for NAU scored in double-digits, led by the unbelievable shot-making of Trent McLaughlin who had 19 points on the night. 

"We have to be better defensively, that's all there is to it. We can't expect to win ball games when we consistently allow teams to shoot over 50% and give up 76 points," said Head Coach Rob Jeter. 

"Offensively we did some good things and showed the will to battle back even when we were down late, but until we can consistently get stops we can't expect the result to change," said, Jeter. 

Up Next
The Thunderbirds will be on the road again at another former Big Sky Conference opponent Montana State. The game will be on Tuesday, Dec 19 at 7 p.m.

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