Written By Rev. Justin C. Jackson

Lakewood, CO & Pueblo, CO — North American University Men's Basketball packed their bags, braved the mountains, and took on a true Rocky Mountain doubleheader — a measuring-stick trip many coaches call a "heat check weekend." Two nights, two gyms, two RMAC opponents, and a whole lot of altitude made this road swing a test of toughness from start to finish.

GAME ONE — Lakewood Air, Lakewood Fight: NAU Falls Late at Colorado Christian, 69–64

The Stallions arrived at Colorado Christian looking to make a statement, and for 40 minutes they stood toe-to-toe with a veteran Cougars team inside the CCU Event Center.

North American led 34–33 at the break after a composed first half, highlighted by Syncere L. Shaw's flamethrower performance off the bench — 17 points on 5-of-10 from deep, giving NAU life every time CCU tried to stretch the score.

Jamarric Hammond added 11 points and steady guard play, while Naheim Northern battled his way to 7 points and 4 boards despite heavy interior attention.

But CCU countered with near-perfection from their forwards. Joshua Reid went a stunning 8-for-8 from the field, and Pierce Bazil posted 21 points and 8 rebounds, including late free throws that iced the game.

NAU finished with 12 made threes, stayed within one possession until the final minute, and forced 19 Cougar turnovers, but CCU's 50% shooting night was just a hair too much to overcome in the final stretch.

FINAL: Colorado Christian 69, NAU 64

GAME TWO — Pueblo Pressure: ThunderWolves' Size and Shooting Push NAU to 0–2 in Rockies Swing

Less than 24 hours later, NAU loaded the bus and climbed even farther into the mountains — this time into a loud Massari Arena against undefeated Colorado State–Pueblo. The ThunderWolves entered 3–0 and played like it, jumping out to a 44–26 halftime lead behind blistering early shooting.

North American fought back with grit — especially Naheim Northern, who turned into a one-man rebounding engine, finishing with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, his best performance of the young season.

Joseph Cormier (10 pts), Kemani Wilson (10 pts) and Syncere L. Shaw (9 pts) kept the Stallions within striking distance in the second half, knocking down timely threes and stabilizing the offense.

But Pueblo's depth and shooting barrage — 13 made threes — kept momentum firmly in the home team's hands. Jordan Blair led the ThunderWolves with 17 points, and four different CSU-Pueblo players knocked down multiple triples as the altitude fatigue finally caught up with NAU.

FINAL: CSU–Pueblo 84, NAU 63

THE STORY OF THE TRIP — Grit, Growth, and a True Mountain Test

Back-to-back nights. Back-to-back RMAC powers. Back-to-back battles in tough gyms at elevation.

The Stallions showed flashes of who they can be — the shooting of Shaw, the emerging rebounding dominance of Northern, and stretches of connected team defense. But the Rockies delivered what they always deliver: a challenge built to reveal weaknesses and forge identity.

North American returns home tougher, more battle-tested, and more aware of the intensity needed to compete through 40 minutes against established NCAA Division II programs.

The heat check is complete. Now the climb continues.