Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State had a good feeling about last Thursday’s 67-65 win over Bethune Cookman and looked to make it two wins in a row versus Northern Arizona inside the Event Center to wrap up its four-game homestand. Saturday marked the first meeting between the Spartans and Lumberjacks since 2007.

Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau went with a starting lineup of Brae Ivey, Oumar Barry, Craig LeCesne, Brian Rodriguez-Flores and Ashtin Chastain. Moreover, the Spartans Athletic Fund launched the Hardwood Lounge Saturday for those who want to enjoy in-game hospitality at the All-American gift level at select upcoming games. You can check out bit.ly/SAF-benefits for more information.

The Spartans won the tip and the game went underway. The Lumberjacks opened up the scoring on two 3-pointers–one by Carlos Hines just 42 seconds into the first period and the other by Cameron Shelton at the 18:20 mark. SJSU, however, responded with Rodriguez-Flores’ pair of free throws and LeCesne’s lone layup to pull within two in a span of 32 seconds. Yet, NAU countered with a 7-0 run to make it a 13-4 game at 15:49.

The Lumberjacks clawed their way back into the game, but the Spartans went on a 8-0 run of their own. Barry made two pairs of free throws, while Baumann hit a jumper and a fastbreak 3. NAU’s Luke Avdalovic hit a 3 to halt SJSU’s scoring streak at 11:01.

Both teams exchanged leads in the last 10 minutes or so, but SJSU trailed NAU 40-30 at halftime. The Lumberjacks had the upper hand in the first. Bernie Andre led the Lumberjacks with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist. Luke Avdalovic had 12 points and 2 rebounds.

SJSU got off to a strong start to open the second period. Steadman channeled his inner steadiness by making two jumpers in 50 seconds. Barry made a layup to cut the Spartans’ deficit to four at 17:44.

Yet, NAU wasn’t ready to back down. Davon Bolton made a pair of fastbreak free throws and Isaiah Thomas made a pair of free throws. Both players helped the Lumberjacks maintain a 47-40 lead at 13:39. The Spartans cut the Lumberjacks’ lead to four just 12 seconds later on Baumann’s 3. The Spartans then made it a one-point game as Ivey made three free throws in a row.

Baumann’s game reappeared, and this time, a paint jumper and 3 helped put the Spartans back on top 51-50 with 9:55 left in the second. Of course, SJSU jumped and high-fived each other, while Spartan Nation cheered so loud that you could hear them from outside the building.

Barry and Ivey poured in the points to give the Spartans a 64-60 lead with 4:30 left. Avdalovic, however, hit a 3 to make it a one-point game, which was something SJSU had hoped to avoid.

SJSU had a 67-65 lead, but it was short-lived. Shelton made a pair of free throws to tie the game at 67 apiece. LeCesne made a pair of free throws of his own, but NAU tied the game at 69 apiece for the second lead in less than 20 seconds. The chants for defense grew louder and they apparently worked on the Spartans, who benefited from Barry’s paint layup and Steadman’s lone free throw. It was 72-69 in favor of the Spartans with 55 seconds left.

Baumann made a pair of free throws to give SJSU a five-point advantage 74-69 with 37 seconds left. Turns out, NAU had plans of their own as Avdalovic quickly responded with a pair of free throws of his own to cut the Lumberjacks’ deficit to three.

The Spartans had another five-point lead, thanks to Ivey’s pair of fastbreak free throws. But, like some of the previous leads, this too was short-lived. Andre made a lone fastbreak free throw and a layup to cut the Lumberjacks’ deficit to two with four seconds left.

Baumann attempted to fend off a couple of NAU defenders, but an official stopped the clock. The Spartans received an opportunity and made the most of it. Baumann made a pair of fastbreak free throws for a 78-74 lead, Ivey followed up a lone free throw and SJSU held off NAU for a 79-74 win.

Baumann led the Spartans with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. Barry recorded a double-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 1 assist. Ivey had 16 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists.

SJSU heads to Maples Pavilion on Tuesday, Dec. 18 to take on Stanford at 7:00 pm PST on the Pac-12 Network.