NAU overcome by Weber State in overtime

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) -- Davion Berry scored 25 points, Scott Bamforth added 20 and Weber State won its ninth straight contest by outlasting Northern Arizona 80-78 in overtime Saturday.

Weber State (22-5, 16-2 Big Sky) led 37-29 at halftime but the Lumberjacks used a 20-5 run to begin the second half capped off by a Gabe Rogers 3-pointer to give Northern Arizona a 49-42 lead with 8:32 remaining in the game. The lead remained at seven,65-58, with 1:07 to play, but the Wildcats closed the game with an 11-4 run, thanks to a 3-pointer by Gelaun Wheelwright and six consecutive free throws.

Leading 69-67 with 15 seconds left, the Lumberjacks were called for an offensive foul. Berry hit a pair of free throws with 11 seconds to go to send it to overtime, and the Wildcats scored the first seven points in overtime to hold off Northern Arizona (11-18, 8-10).

Rogers finished with 25 points while hitting six 3-pointers to lead the Lumberjacks. DeWayne Russell had 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Max Jacobsen finished with 17 points.

Weber State shot 47.3 percent from the field and was 19 of 23 from the free-throw line.

“Our five seniors left everything on the line,” NAU coach Jack Murphy said. “I cannot say enough about them. Unfortunately, we did not finish the game off on senior day. But they played with great heart and determination.

“Gabe Rogers played against one of the best defensive teams in the country today,” said Murphy. “They have been holding opponents to the least amount of three-point field goal attempts nationally.

"Gabe comes out and scores 25 points to continue his hot streak. He is one of the best players not only in this conference but I believe in the country with the way he is playing.”

NAU finishes the regular season with two key games in the push for the Big Sky Tournament, Thursday at Montana State and Saturday at Montana.