Northern Arizona Stuns Northern Colorado in Major Upset, 81-77

In a shocking turn of events, Northern Arizona pulled off a stunning upset over Northern Colorado, 81-77, at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. The Lumberjacks, with a record of 7-14, were not given much of a chance against the 11-10 Bears, but they proved their doubters wrong with a gritty performance. CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Northern Colorado winning by 7.6 points, but Northern Arizona had other plans.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. At halftime, Northern Arizona held a slim 38-36 lead, thanks in large part to Chris Komin's 12 first-half points. The junior guard finished with a game-high 24 points, leading the Lumberjacks to their biggest win of the season. Komin's performance was complemented by Traivar Jackson's all-around effort, as he chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Northern Colorado, on the other hand, was led by Brock Wisne's 18 points and 5 assists. The Bears' guard was instrumental in keeping his team in the game, but ultimately, it wasn't enough to overcome the Lumberjacks' balanced attack. Zach Bloch and Quinn Denker also had strong games for Northern Colorado, scoring 17 and 16 points, respectively. However, the Bears' inability to contain Komin and the Lumberjacks' supporting cast was their downfall.

The second half saw both teams push the pace, with Northern Arizona outscoring Northern Colorado 43-41. The Lumberjacks' victory was sealed in the final minutes, as they made several crucial free throws to ice the game. Ryan Abelman's 12 points off the bench were also crucial in the win, as Northern Arizona's depth was too much for the Bears to handle.

This upset win has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Northern Arizona, the victory is a Quadrant 4 win, which, although not ideal, is still a much-needed boost to their resume. On the other hand, Northern Colorado suffers a Quadrant 4 loss, which could potentially hurt their chances of making the tournament. The Bears' current net ranking of 161 will likely take a hit, making their road to the postseason even more challenging.

The loss is a setback for Northern Colorado, but they want to bounce back in their next game. As for Northern Arizona, they will try to build on this momentum and use it as a springboard for the rest of their season. One thing is certain, though - this upset win will be remembered for a long time, and Chris Komin's 24 points will be etched in the minds of Lumberjacks fans as a defining moment in their season. The win may not drastically alter Northern Arizona's tournament prospects, but it undoubtedly adds a much-needed layer of depth to their resume, making their postseason push slightly more viable.