Montana State Tops Northern Arizona in Close Contest
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Worthington Arena
Montana State Bobcats 77, Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 68, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs Montana State Bobcats?
Montana State Bobcats beat Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 77-68 at Worthington Arena on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs Montana State Bobcats?
Montana State Bobcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -600 (about 86% implied). The favorite won.
The Montana State Bobcats secured a solid victory over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, finishing the game with a score of 77-68 at Worthington Arena. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it showcased the Bobcats' strong home performance, extending their winning streak to four games. Montana State's recent form has been impressive, with a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, averaging 78.1 points scored while allowing 69.5 points. Their home record stands at 4-0, demonstrating their dominance on familiar ground.
In contrast, the Lumberjacks have struggled with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, and they are currently on a one-game losing streak. Northern Arizona has averaged 72.6 points scored and 73.9 points allowed during this stretch. Their away record is concerning, as they have yet to secure a victory on the road this season, with an away record of 0-5.
The two teams had faced each other twice in the previous season, with each team winning once. Montana State won the first encounter at home with a close score of 58-53, while Northern Arizona claimed victory in the second meeting with a score of 69-64.
In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any players missing from either team, allowing both squads to field their full rosters for this matchup. The betting odds from DraftKings indicated that Montana State was favored by 10.5 points, with a total set at 143.5. The moneyline offered Montana State at -600 and Northern Arizona at +440, reflecting the perceived disparity in strength between the two teams.
The game conditions were conducive for basketball, with no adverse weather conditions impacting the indoor venue. Viewers were treated to a competitive matchup, with notable scoring plays in the second half, including free throws from Christian King and Jeremiah Davis, as well as a layup from Traivar Jackson that helped solidify Montana State's lead.
Overall, the Bobcats' performance at home, combined with their recent form, proved decisive in this contest against the Lumberjacks.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MTST -10.5 | 143.5 o -110 / u -110 | Northern Arizona Lumberjacks +440 · Montana State Bobcats -600 |
Leaders
- PointsJed Miller22Montana State Bobcats
- AssistsSeth Amunrud3Montana State Bobcats
- ReboundsChristian King9Montana State Bobcats
- PointsIsaiah Shaw18Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
- AssistsChris Komin3Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
- ReboundsTraivar Jackson6Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Recent form
Montana State Bobcats
Last 10: 6-4Streak W378.1 scored · 69.5 allowed per game4-0 at home
- W89-75vs Northern Colorado BearsJan 2
- W93-54vs Northwest University EaglesDec 22
- W83-80at Cal Poly MustangsDec 17
- L57-67at Oregon State BeaversDec 13
- L68-72at Oral Roberts Golden EaglesDec 7
- W82-74vs St. Thomas TommiesDec 4
- L81-84at Utah State AggiesNov 29
- W78-72at Long Beach State BeachNov 22
- W92-55vs Nobel KnightsNov 20
- L58-62at Boise State BroncosNov 15
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Last 10: 4-6Streak L172.6 scored · 73.9 allowed per game0-5 away
- L64-78at Montana GrizzliesJan 1
- W112-60vs Benedictine Mesa RedhawksDec 30
- L66-90at Incarnate Word CardinalsDec 21
- W65-57vs Southern Utah ThunderbirdsDec 19
- L69-78at San Diego TorerosDec 13
- L48-73at Arizona State Sun DevilsDec 10
- L68-69at North Dakota State BisonDec 7
- L62-75vs South Dakota State JackrabbitsDec 4
- W79-72vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksNov 27
- W93-87vs Cal Poly MustangsNov 25
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State | 20-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Montana State | 18-14 | 1 | 12-6 |
| Eastern Washington | 14-19 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Northern Colorado | 20-12 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Montana | 18-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Weber State | 16-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Idaho | 21-15 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Sacramento State | 10-21 | 8 | 6-12 |
| Idaho State | 13-20 | 8 | 5-13 |
| Northern Arizona | 10-22 | 9 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Northern Arizona Lumberjacks | Montana State Bobcats |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-59 | 26-56 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 46 |
| Three-pointers | 5-12 | 12-31 |
| Three-point % | 42 | 39 |
| Free throws | 7-11 | 13-14 |
| Free throw % | 64 | 93 |
| Rebounds | 27 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 20 |
| Assists | 9 | 12 |
| Steals | 2 | 5 |
| Blocks | 3 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 8 | 6 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 9 |
| Points in the paint | 40 | 22 |
| Fouls | 15 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 18 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 13 | 78 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half35-46Jed Miller makes 25-foot three point jumper (Chris Hodges assists)
- 2nd Half37-46Ryan Abelman makes 17-foot jumper
- 2nd Half37-48Chris Hodges makes layup
- 2nd Half37-50Patrick McMahon makes layup
- 2nd Half38-50Kavon Bradford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-52Chris Hodges makes 2-foot dunk (Jeremiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half38-53Davian Brown makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-54Davian Brown makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-55Patrick McMahon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-56Patrick McMahon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-56Isaiah Shaw makes 26-foot three point jumper (Chris Komin assists)
- 2nd Half43-56Arne Osojnik makes driving layup
- 2nd Half43-58Christian King makes layup
- 2nd Half45-58Ryan Abelman makes layup
- 2nd Half45-61Jed Miller makes 26-foot three point jumper (Seth Amunrud assists)
- 2nd Half46-61Isaiah Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-61Traivar Jackson makes layup (Chris Komin assists)
- 2nd Half48-63Christian King makes driving layup
- 2nd Half49-63Chris Komin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-63Chris Komin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-63Ryan Abelman makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half52-64Jed Miller makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-64Erez Poran makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-64Traivar Jackson makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half56-66Jed Miller makes 16-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half58-66Chris Komin makes layup (Ryan Abelman assists)
- 2nd Half59-66Chris Komin makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half59-69Jed Miller makes 22-foot three point jumper (Patrick McMahon assists)
- 2nd Half61-69Chris Komin makes 7-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half62-69Traivar Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-71Christian King makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half64-71Traivar Jackson makes 6-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half64-72Christian King makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-73Christian King makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-74Jeremiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-75Jeremiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-75Traivar Jackson makes layup (Brennan Peterson assists)
- 2nd Half66-76Davian Brown makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-77Davian Brown makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-77Chris Komin makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Montana State Bobcats, below favours Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.
Venue
- Worthington ArenaBozeman, MT
- Attendance3016
- OfficialsDavid Hall, Justin Albrecht, Ben Wolfe
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