Sacramento State dominated Northern Arizona 83-69 at the Hornet Pavilion, thanks in large part to a stellar performance from Prophet Johnson. The Hornets' star player poured in 29 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, leading his team to a convincing 14-point win. Johnson's impressive outing was complemented by solid contributions from Jayden Teat, who scored 12 points, and Mark Lavrenov, who notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Northern Arizona, led by Traivar Jackson's 18 points and 9 rebounds, got off to a strong start, taking a 39-34 lead into halftime. However, Sacramento State came out firing in the second half, outscoring the Lumberjacks 49-30 to pull away for the win. Karl Poom added 14 points and 5 rebounds for Northern Arizona, while Brennan Peterson chipped in with 9 points.
The Hornets' second-half surge was fueled by their ability to contain Northern Arizona's offense, which had been clicking in the first half. Sacramento State's defense tightened up, forcing the Lumberjacks into tough shots and limiting their scoring opportunities. On the other end, Johnson and his teammates took advantage of their chances, knocking down key baskets and getting to the free-throw line to seal the win.
The victory improves Sacramento State's record to 6-13, while Northern Arizona falls to 7-14. While neither team is likely to make a deep postseason run, the win is still an important one for the Hornets, who are looking to build momentum and finish the season strong.
In terms of tournament implications, this result is unlikely to have a significant impact on either team's chances. However, the win does give Sacramento State a boost on their resume, even if it is a Quadrant 4 victory. For Northern Arizona, the loss is another setback in a season that has been marked by inconsistency. The Lumberjacks must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for a postseason berth.
The loss is a Quadrant 4 defeat for Northern Arizona, which will not help their already slim tournament chances. For Sacramento State, the win is also a Quadrant 4 victory, but it is still a positive result that can help the Hornets build confidence and momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. Ultimately, this result is more about the impressive performance of Prophet Johnson and the Hornets' ability to close out a game than it is about any broader tournament implications.