- Game: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs Montana Grizzlies
- Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Location: Dahlberg Arena, Missoula, MT
- TV: ESPN+
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This Thursday, the Montana Grizzlies (6-7) will host the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (5-7) at Dahlberg Arena.
The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks faced off against Incarnate Word in their last game, suffering a defeat with a score of 90-66. The Lumberjacks committed 19 personal fouls, while Incarnate Word recorded 18. From beyond the arc, Northern Arizona succeeded in 12 out of 28 attempts, while Incarnate Word achieved a 66.7% conversion rate at the free throw line, making 20 of 30 attempts. Incarnate Word also dominated the boards, pulling down 35 rebounds (8 offensive, 27 defensive), with no blocks recorded. They tallied 13 assists and managed to acquire 8 steals. Defensively, Northern Arizona permitted their opponents to shoot 48.3% from the field (29 out of 60). Northern Arizona recorded 13 assists, forced 7 turnovers, and got 1 steal. They collected 32 rebounds, 7 of which were offensive. At the free-throw line, the Lumberjacks hit 10 out of 21 attempts, resulting in a 47.6% shooting percentage. Northern Arizona ended the game with a field goal percentage of 51.1% (24 out of 47) and successfully made 8 of 17 three-point attempts.
Ryan Abelman was a key player for the Lumberjacks, contributing 16 points while shooting 6 out of 9 from the field. He played 33 minutes and grabbed 6 rebounds, finishing with a shooting percentage of 66.7% and dishing out 1 assist.
The Lumberjacks currently have a record of 5-7 this season. They are scoring an average of 72.1 points per game (ranked 294th in college basketball), with a shooting efficiency of 45.9% from the field. Northern Arizona is making 35.8% of their three-point attempts (83 out of 232) and 63.6% from the charity stripe. As a team, they are averaging 34.0 rebounds per game and have accumulated 155 assists this year, ranking 312th in the nation in assists. They turn the ball over 11.8 times per game and commit 18.0 fouls per contest.
Defensively, the Lumberjacks force 13.1 turnovers per game and draw 16.4 fouls from their opponents. They allow a 35.3% shooting rate from beyond the arc and rank 217th in Division 1 for points allowed per game (74.7). Northern Arizona concedes a field goal percentage of 44.6% (319 of 715) and averages 37.9 rebounds allowed per game. They are currently ranked 163rd in the nation for assists allowed, with 166 given up this year.
In their last outing, the Montana Grizzlies suffered a heavy defeat against Louisville, falling 94-54. On the rebounding front, Montana allowed Louisville to secure a total of 46 rebounds (12 offensive). From three-point range, Montana hit 35.3% of their shots (12 out of 34) and achieved a free throw percentage of 73.7% by making 14 out of 19 attempts. Louisville shot 52.3% for the game, converting 34 out of 65 attempts. Montana, on the other hand, struggled offensively, finishing with 17 out of 53 from the field (32.1%). They managed to make 7 attempts out of 24 from beyond the arc (29.2%). Louisville committed 15 fouls, granting Montana a chance at 15 free throws, and the Grizzlies turned the ball over 19 times while collecting 9 steals. They gathered a total of 24 rebounds (20 defensive and 4 offensive).
Grant Kepley was notable for the Grizzlies during the game, making 5 of 12 attempts for a shooting percentage of 41.7%, while also adding 1 rebound. He finished with 15 points in 25 minutes of play, along with 1 assist.
This year, Montana holds a record of 6-7. They average 17.8 fouls per game and have a free throw percentage of 73.4%. Their assists per game stand at 16.2 (99th in Division 1) with 14.5 turnovers. Montana has scored a total of 1,052 points this season (80.9 points per game) and averages 38.2 rebounds per contest. Offensively, the Grizzlies are shooting 49.2% from the field, ranking 46th nationally.
On defense, Montana allows a 30.0% shooting rate from the perimeter (91 out of 303) and gives up 68.3% from the free throw line. They concede 13.2 assists and 34.5 rebounds per game, ranking them 177th and 184th in the country, respectively. Montana is positioned 221st in the nation for points allowed per game, averaging 74.8, while forcing 11.0 turnovers and allowing opponents a field goal percentage of 42.7% (148th in college basketball).
Who will triumph in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Pick: Bet on Montana
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