Tuesday, March 11th, 8:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Rose Garden (21,000) -- Portland, Oregon. Television: Altitude TV. Home Record: Weber St. 12-2, NAU 13-3. Away Record: Weber St. 4-9, NAU 6-7. Neutral Record: Weber St. 0-2, NAU 1-0. Conference Record: Weber St. 10-6, NAU 11-5. Series Record: Weber State leads, 61-25.

GAME NOTES: In a rematch of last season's Big Sky Conference title game, the second-seeded Northern Arizona Lumberjacks will battle the third-seeded Weber State Wildcats in semifinal action at the Rose Garden. The Wildcats got the better of NAU last season, capturing their eight BSC Championship. This year, the Wildcats opened tournament play with a 65-49 victory over Montana State in the quarterfinal-round. It was the fourth victory in the last five games for Weber State, which finished the regular season with a 10-6 league ledger. As for the Lumberjacks, they were outstanding down the final stretch of the season, winning their last five matchups. With the late streak, the team pushed its conference record to a strong 11-5, earning the second seed in the tournament. NAU has dropped three of the last four BSC title games, but the team is hoping to finally post its first championship since 2000. With regard to the all-time series between the two schools, the Wildcats hold a strong 61-25 advantage over NAU. However, the Lumberjacks were able to grab two victories over the Wildcats this season.

The Wildcats put forth a stifling defensive effort against Montana State on Saturday, as Weber State limited the Bobcats to just 49 points. WSU held MSUto a pathetic 32.1 percent shooting effort from the floor, which included a 5- of-20 clip from long range. Throughout the season, the Wildcats have been solid defensively, surrendering just 65.3 ppg. The strong play has overshadowed the team's inconsistent efforts at the offensive end of the floor. On the season Weber State is netting just 66.3 ppg, while committing 15.9 turnovers per matchup. In the win over Montana State, Arturas Valeika led the way with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Brody Van Brocklin tallied 10 points. As for the team's leading scorer, Dezmon Harris (10.8 ppg), he only tallied nine points and dished out four assists.

Throughout the season the Lumberjacks have used an impressive display at the offensive end of the floor, netting 73.6 ppg, while shooting a strong 48.5 percent from the floor. Kyle Landry has been a monster in the paint for NAU, averaging team-highs in scoring (17.7 ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rpg). Josh Wilson has been a terrific floor general on the season and is currently leading the team with 163 assists to go along with 11.8 ppg. Nate Geiser and Zach Filzen have made solid contributions as well for Northern Arizona, chipping in 9.4 and 6.8 ppg, respectively. Not to be overlooked is the team's defensive play, as the squad is limiting opponents to just 68.6 ppg.

The Lumberjacks got the better of Weber State twice during the regular season, and while it is tough to beat a team three times in the same year, expect NAU to push through to the title game for the third straight campaign.

Predicted Outcome

Northern Arizona 73, Weber State 66