GAME NOTES: Northern Arizona plays at home for the first time this season, as the Lumberjacks entertain the Fresno State Bulldogs in non-conference action at Walkup Skydome on Thursday night.

The Lumberjacks have come out on the short end of the first two games of the season, losing in the opener to Xavier (93-60), and then being toppled by Toledo (71-58).

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have split their first two decisions, losing first at Pepperdine last Friday by a score of 89-74, but then bouncing back on Monday night in a 93-55 victory versus Bristol University.

With respect to the all-time series between these two schools on the hardwood, the Bulldogs have won all six previous meetings, the most recent coming last season at the Save Mart Center by a score of 71-67, as part of the Fresno State Classic.

Against a less-talented foe in Bristol University, the Bulldogs led by just three points at the break (37-34), but then dominated at both ends of the floor in the second half in order to cruise to the win. After intermission, the Bulldogs shot 62,1 percent from the field and at the same time limited the visitors to just 29.6 percent, including 1-of-12 behind the 3-point line.

Paul Watson scored a game-high 28 points, leading four starters in double figures, followed by Julien Lewis with 17 points, Karachi Edo 14 and Emmanuel Owootoah 11 points. Marvelle Harris, the other starter, missed all seven of his field goal tries and finished with seven points and nine rebounds.

For the season, Lewis leads the Bulldogs with 18.0 ppg as the team generates 83.5 ppg. Harris, who was awful from the field a few nights back, averages 7.0 rpg and 5.0 apg, so at least he is contributing in those areas.

Northern Arizona's most recent outing saw the team shoot a mere 33.3 percent from the field and 6-of-22 (.273) behind the 3-point line as it bowed to Toledo at Savage Arena on Sunday afternoon. Quinton Upshur was the high scorer for the visitors with 13 points, but he hit only 4-of-16 shots from the floor, followed by Kris Yanku and Jelani Neely with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Starting guard Aaseem Dixon didn't seem to be focused as he failed on all 11 of his field goal attempts, and was held scoreless over 30 minutes of playing time.

On a team that is averaging only 59.0 ppg, while giving up 82.0 ppg, Upshur is the lone double-digit scorer after two outings with his 16.5 ppg. Of the seven 3-pointers per game made by NAU, half have come from Upshur, so he deserves to have the ball in his hand as often as possible at the offensive end of the floor.

Assuming Harris doesn't come out firing blanks again for the Bulldogs, the visitors should be primed and ready to send the 'Jacks to yet another defeat.