Women’s Basketball Prepares for Senior Night Showdown
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 2, 2025) – The Northern Arizona women’s basketball team is set to make its final regular-season stand against Idaho State this Monday evening at Findlay Toyota Court, as they approach the postseason in less than a week. The highly anticipated tipoff for Senior Night is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Before the game, the Lumberjacks will take time to honor their three senior players: Nyah Moran, Leia Beattie, and Olivia Moran. This talented trio has collectively contributed to 101 wins and participated in 376 games throughout their careers.
Having already secured the No. 2 seed for next week’s Big Sky Conference Championships in Boise, Idaho, the Lumberjacks still have significant stakes to consider on Monday night. A victory over Idaho State, coupled with a Montana State loss to Idaho, could allow Northern Arizona to share the regular-season title with the Bobcats, marking their second season championship in the last three years. Conversely, if the Bobcats win, they will claim the title outright. The matchup between MSU and Idaho is slated for 7 p.m. MST.
Notably, a win for Northern Arizona would not only secure a remarkable 16-2 conference record—setting a new program benchmark—but also tie the single-season win record at 25. Currently, the Lumberjacks boast a record of 24-6 overall and 15-2 in conference play, already achieving the most regular-season wins in NAU history while equaling the single-season conference victory record.
In their last outing, the Lumberjacks triumphed with an 80-70 win against Northern Colorado. After leading 48-27 at halftime, powered by ten three-pointers, the team faced a tough second half but ultimately secured their ninth consecutive victory over the Bears. Taylor Feldman led the team with 21 points, followed closely by Leia Beattie, who recorded 16 points along with six rebounds and team-high four assists.
Senior Leia Beattie is poised to be honored on Monday night. Despite being with the Lumberjacks for just two seasons, she has made a significant mark, playing in 65 games with 64 starts. Beattie’s sharpshooting has made her seventh all-time at Northern Arizona for three-pointers made (146) during her tenure, achieving a remarkable three-point shooting percentage of 40.4, which ranks second in program history.
The Moran twins, Nyah and Olivia, will break the NAU’s all-time games played record during the game, with Olivia participating in her 157th game, surpassing the existing record and Nyah in her 156th. Both have been pillars of the program for five years, each surpassing 1,000 career points this season. Nyah is currently ninth on the all-time scoring list with 1,208 points, while Olivia follows closely with 1,152 points. Both have significantly contributed to the team’s success this season, with Nyah averaging a career-high 11.5 points per game and Olivia leading the team in steals.
Sophie Glancey recently secured her seventh Big Sky Player of the Week award, further establishing her presence by leading the team in several statistical categories including scoring, field goal percentage, and blocks per game. With 16 double-doubles to her name this season, she ranks high nationally and is a vital piece of the Lumberjack squad.
As a team, Northern Arizona excels in various areas, currently sitting 14th in the nation for scoring offense and showcasing impressive rebounding and defensive statistics. Taylor Feldman ranks second in the Big Sky in scoring, embodying the dynamic play and talent found within the Lumberjack roster.
Historically, the Lumberjacks have had the upper hand against Idaho State, winning four consecutive games and holding a favorable record at 20-19 in Flagstaff against the Bengals. With Idaho State riding a four-game winning streak and averaging 72.3 points during this span, the matchup promises an exciting close to the regular season.
Northern Arizona’s road to the postseason is solidified with a first-round bye, positioning them as the No. 2 seed for the Big Sky Conference Championships. The Lumberjacks are set to compete on Sunday, March 9 at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time against the winner of the matchup between the No. 7 and No. 9 seeds.
