FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Interstat) — Naomi White scored 31 points and Northern Arizona closed the game on a decisive 17-4 run to erase a late deficit and defeat Weber State 73-65 in a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Walkup Skydome.

The Lumberjacks, who trailed by as many as nine points in the third quarter and were down 61-56 with just over five minutes to play, dominated the final stretch by attacking the basket and capitalizing at the free-throw line. Northern Arizona scored 25 points in the fourth quarter, with 15 coming from the foul line, to snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 8-17 overall.

Weber State, which led for nearly 33 minutes of game time, fell to 7-16 with its second straight loss.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the closing minutes after Weber State’s Hannah Robbins hit a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a 61-56 advantage. From that point, Northern Arizona’s defense locked down, forcing four Weber State turnovers and holding the Wildcats to just one made field goal over the final 5:10.

The comeback was ignited by Madison Watts, who converted a driving layup and drew a foul on the ensuing possession, making one of two free throws to cut the deficit to 61-59. After a Weber State turnover, White then took over. The junior guard from Omaha, Nebraska, was fouled on a 3-point attempt and calmly sank all three free throws to give Northern Arizona a 62-61 lead with 4:47 remaining, its first advantage since the opening quarter.

The Lumberjacks never relinquished the lead. Watts scored inside off an assist from Layla Davis, and after another Weber State miscue, White drove for a layup to extend the margin to 66-61. Weber State’s offensive struggles continued as they missed their next five shots, and Northern Arizona sealed the game at the line, making seven of eight free throws in the final 43 seconds.

White’s 31-point performance, which included four 3-pointers and an 11-for-13 effort from the free-throw line, was complemented by 15 points from Watts and 13 from Davis. White also added two blocks and two steals in 39 minutes.

Weber State was led by Robbins, a junior from Phoenix, who scored 16 points and blocked three shots. Antoniette Emma-Nnopu, a freshman from Geelong, Australia, added 13 points for the Wildcats.

The game was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. While both teams made 22 field goals, Northern Arizona attempted 10 fewer shots and parlayed 15 Weber State turnovers into 15 points. The most glaring disparity came at the charity stripe, where the Lumberjacks attempted 34 free throws, making 24, compared to Weber State’s 19 attempts and 13 makes.

Northern Arizona also won the possession battle, scoring 73 points on 76 possessions for an offensive rating of 95.9, while Weber State managed 65 points on 77 trips for a rating of 84.4.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring 10 lead changes. Weber State used an 8-0 run late in the first quarter to take a 20-13 lead, capped by a Nicole Willardson layup. Northern Arizona responded with a 9-2 spurt to tie the game at 22 early in the second, but the Wildcats closed the half strong, taking a 33-35 lead into the break.

Weber State extended its lead to nine points at 44-35 midway through the third quarter following a 3-pointer from Makenna Shaffer. The Lumberjacks chipped away, closing the quarter on a 13-4 run, keyed by an Audrey Taylor 3-pointer and a Naomi White layup, to enter the fourth quarter tied at 48.

The Wildcats seemed to regain control early in the final period, building a five-point lead twice, but could not withstand Northern Arizona’s late surge fueled by White’s scoring and relentless defensive pressure.

The win gave Northern Arizona a regular-season series sweep, having also defeated Weber State 71-58 in Ogden on Jan. 8.

Weber State next hosts Idaho on Thursday. Northern Arizona travels to face Portland State on Thursday.