Recap: Northern Ariz vs. Montana State

Flagstaff, AZ (Sports Network) - Max Jacobsen scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks held off a late push by the Montana State Bobcats to win the Big Sky Conference opener, 87-80.

All five starters scored in double figures for NAU (4-5, 1-0 Big Sky), which has won back-to-back games. DeWayne Russell tallied 16 points, eight boards, and five assists, while Gaellan Bewernick added 13 points. Stallon Saldivar (12 points) and Gabe Rogers (11 points) rounded out the Lumberjacks' balanced attack.

For Montana State (2-6, 0-1), Antonio Biglow led the way with 15 points. Flavien Davis scored 14 points, Paul Egwuonwu chipped in 12 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, and Xavier Blount netted 10 points.

In a lopsided first half, NAU shot a lofty 62.1 percent from the floor and it went into halftime up 46-28. Montana State committed more turnovers (nine) than field goals made (eight) in the half.

The Bobcats slowly climbed their way back in it, cutting their deficit to just five with 43 seconds to play, but they would get no closer.

Despite the Lumberjacks' strong shooting on the night, they were just 3-of-12 from three-point range.