Big Sky basketball championship invites Lumberjack fans everywhere

The NAU men's basketball team didn't need any help to earn the right to host the 2006 Big Sky Men's Basketball Championship.

By beating Sacramento State 92-72 Saturday night, the Lumberjacks won the Big Sky regular season title and will host the tournament March 7 and 8 in the Walkup Skydome.

The little matter of Montana losing in overtime to Portland State wasn't an issue. NAU set its own course.

It will be the fourth time in school history that the Lumberjacks have hosted the men's tournament.

Tickets for the games, hosted by Summit Center and presented by Pepsi, will go on sale today for season ticket holders and members of the Lumberjack Athletic Association through the Athletics Department at (928) 523-5353. Tickets for the public go on sale Wednesday through the NAU Central Ticket Office, (928) 523-5661, or the Ticketmaster web site. All seats will be reserved.

All-session tickets range in price from $30 to $80 and are good for both games March 7 and the championship game March 8. Students will be able to purchase tickets for $10 for all three games through the ASNAU office in the University Union, (928) 523-4971. Students may only purchase one ticket with a valid student ID. They will be asked to show their student ID when entering the games.

By winning the conference championship, the Lumberjacks earned a bye for the quarterfinal rounds. Game times for the semifinals in the Skydome are set for 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, with the tournament finals at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8. ESPN2 will televise the championship game nationally.

The winner of the Big Sky Championship earns an automatic berth into the 65-team field for the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Community Sportspasses and Junior Jacks Cards are not valid for tournament games, and no coupons or other discounts will be accepted. Click here for a basketball seating chart.