Northern Arizona Basketball Shines in Home Opener
The Northern Arizona men’s basketball team kicked off their season with a strong performance on November 7, 2025, defeating Justice University 87-55 in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
Zack Davidson led the team with 21 points, marking his second straight game scoring over 20 points as a Lumberjack. The team showed great depth, with six players scoring at least seven points and all 12 players making contributions.
Head coach Shane Burcar praised his team’s calm approach. “We played NAU Basketball tonight,” he said, highlighting their focus on executing planned plays.
NAU dominated the game statistically, shooting 52.2% from the field overall and an impressive 57.6% in the first half. This strong start gave them a hefty 47-23 lead at halftime. Justice struggled, hitting only 33.9% of their shots.
The Lumberjacks capitalized on Justice’s mistakes, scoring 25 points from 17 turnovers and securing 22 second-chance points from offensive rebounds. Among the standout players, Arne Osojnik contributed 15 points and Karl Poom added 12 in his first collegiate game with double-digit points.
Justice’s Ray King had a game-high 29 points, but his team fell behind early. After a slow start, Justice’s first field goal came well into the first half, trailing 15-3 by the time they found their rhythm.
A significant moment came when Osojnik and Davidson teamed up for a 19-4 run that extended NAU’s lead to 45-21 just before halftime, showcasing their offensive prowess.
Throughout the second half, NAU maintained a commanding lead, allowing them to control the pace of the game. Several players, including Traivar Jackson with nine points and nine rebounds, contributed significantly, even in limited minutes.
Looking ahead, NAU will face a tough opponent in Arizona, currently ranked No. 13 in the AP Top 25. The game is set for November 11 at 7 p.m. MST.
This season, enthusiasm surrounds the Lumberjacks’ young prospects, especially Davidson, who continues to make waves in his debut year. Last season, the NBA saw a notable increase in freshman talent, suggesting a trend that could benefit teams through emerging stars.
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