Northern Arizona edges Sacramento St. 70-68, crowds Big Sky

Mar 7, 2015, 11:11 pm

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Only seconds after getting a similar shot blocked, Kris Yanku drove for a runner and banked it off the glass from four feet out with four seconds remaining, lifting Northern Arizona to a 70-68 victory over Sacramento State in a battle with Big Sky Conference tourney implications on Saturday.

The loss cost Sacramento State (19-10, 13-5) a second-straight chance to claim the top seed outright, cemented later Saturday as both Montana (13-5) and Eastern Washington (13-5) won out. Montana hosts the tournament for the third time in four years.

Northern Arizona joined the co-champions atop the Sky at 18-13, 13-5.

Yanku's winner was contested by at least two Sac State players. Ako Kaluna knotted the contest at 68 with two free throws with two minutes to play.

Mikh McKinney (19 points), who had scored Sacramento State's previous 12 points, missed a jumper with 1:19 left and a 3-point try at the buzzer.