The Humbolt State Lumberjacks came to town Feb. 12 with an impressive 19-3 overall record, earning them a rank of third in the NCAA West Regional Poll.  The Nanooks, with a record of 13-6 and ranked sixth in the Poll, certainly had their work cut out for them.

Center Andrew Smith began the game with eight points in the first five minutes of play, establishing the fast pace of the most exiting game I have seen all season.  A monster woodcutter under the hoop blocked six shots on the night, which helped the Lumberjacks begin to build a lead with 10 minutes left in the first half.  But UAF junior guard Norris Crawford, perhaps the best pure athlete on the team, provided the kind of strong defensive play that didn't show up on the stat sheet but that helped the 'Nooks finish the half with a 36-36 tie.

The Nanooks began the second half with nine unanswered points in the first four minutes, but with 12:34 left on the clock, the Lumberjacks managed to again tie the game.  The lead changed hands numerous times in the final minutes of the game, but with 3:09 left Crawford hit a big three pointer that put the 'Nooks on top 61-59.  Flawless shooting from the line made the difference late in the game, as the Nanooks hit 81percent of their freethrows overall for the night, including perfect performances by Smith, Ryan Jones, and Tristan Below.  Smith ended the game with a thunderous, two-handed, overhead dunk that left the crowd roaring and score board reading 69-62 in favor of Big Blue.

After the game, Coach Al Sokaitis had only one complaint.

"At first, our Big guys were not aggressive," he said.

Sokaitis was quick to add however that it was sophomore forward Justin Bourne's "best game of the season." Bourne finished the game with two blocked shots, two assists, five points, and three rebounds, but his most important contribution was his defensive mastery over the Lumberjacks' best players. 

"It was a good win for us," said Smith, with the humility of understatement. He credited the win to practice.  

Photo by Jay Leppanen

Sophomore Ivan Miskovic uses the 3/4 press to help UAF defeat the Humboldt State Lumberjacks at the Patty Center on Thursday February 12. The Nanooks won 69-62.

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