Sunday’s second-round matchup in the Big Sky Tournament between the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks and Eastern Washington Eagles featured an absolutely insane ending in heartbreak for one team.
The Eagles clung to a one-point lead and possession with just eight seconds remaining in the game. The Lumberjacks had no choice but to foul, sending Eastern Washington’s Steele Venters to the free-throw line. He made the first foul shot but missed the second.
This led to a frantic final possession to tie or win the game for Northern Arizona. That is when freshman guard Oakland Fort made the biggest shot of his life, draining a deep three to win the game and crush the hopes of Eastern Washington.
NORTHERN ARIZONA BIG SKY ONIONS 🏀🧅🧅🧅 pic.twitter.com/qrUim1bLLC
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 6, 2023
This unreal ending had many around the college basketball world praising Northern Arizona for their unreal resilience to come back and win this game in dramatic fashion.
NORTHERN ARIZONA STUNS EASTERN WASHINGTON AT THE HORN pic.twitter.com/7C5pexpp4W
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) March 6, 2023
(9) Northern Arizona STUNS (1) Eastern Washington in the Big Sky Quarterfinals.
WOW!
— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) March 6, 2023
OH MY GOD!
NORTHERN ARIZONA SHOCKS TOP SEEDED EASTERN WASHINGTON!
ANARCHY IN THE BIG SKY!
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 6, 2023
DOWN GOES THE #1 SEED ‼️‼️
Northern Arizona’s Oakland Fort beats the buzzer to take down Eastern Washington 81-80 in the @BigSkyMBB Tournament.
THIS. IS. MARCH. pic.twitter.com/dLrTXmCSBV
— Ashley Washburn (@ashleyjwashburn) March 6, 2023
Northern Arizona has really put it together the last month or so. They could absolutely go on a run here. https://t.co/MxSNq0WpSs
— Chase Kiddy (@chaseakiddy) March 6, 2023
Eastern Washington came into the Big Sky Tournament as the No. 1 seed riding a 16-game winning streak. They were expected by most to be the conference’s representative in the NCAA Tournament.
However, the great thing about college basketball is that truly anyone has a chance to make the NCAA Tournament. Northern Arizona proved just that with a truly special buzzer beater to keep their Cinderella hopes alive in the Big Sky Tournament.
They will look to put together another great performance on Tuesday when they face off against the winner of Montana and Idaho State in the Big Sky Tournament semifinals.
[ESPN+]
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.