Men’s Basketball Opens with Victory over Southwestern
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Northern Arizona had five players in double figures led by Eric Platt's 26 points as the Lumberjacks opened the season with a 113-61 victory over Southwestern College at the Rolle Activity Center. The 113 points were a school record for a season opener, surpassing the mark of 110 set against Adams State in 1984 and ranked as the 12th-best single-game total in school history.
Platt scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting including seven three-pointers off the bench in 20 minutes of action. Junior Shane Johannsen contributed 18 points, while senior Nick Larson had 13 points. Junior Cameron Jones added 12 points and Julian Olubuyi scored 10 points with 10 assists in his NAU debut. Gabe Rogers added 10 assists and nine points for the Lumberjacks.
The Lumberjacks outscored the Eagles 58-21 in the first half, shooting 61.8 percent from the field. Southwestern was out-scored 55-40 in the second half as the Lumberjacks rolled in the opener.
NAU hit 14 three-pointers in the game and out-rebounded Southwestern 50-24.
Nick Sheffield led the Eagles with 14 points in the game.
NAU plays at Arizona on Sunday in a game televised by Fox Sports Arizona. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. from McKale Center. It is the second of four games for the Lumberjacks over the first week of the season. NAU returns home to host Fresno State on Tuesday and Pacific on Thursday.
