The NAU men’s basketball team began play in the Arizona Tip-Off at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale Friday afternoon against the Mastadons of Purdue-Fort Wayne. NAU trailed at halftime, 35-33 and got down 57-47 with about ten minutes to play. NAU then went on a 15-1 run in the next 5:16 to retake the lead. However the Mastadons retook the lead after a 16-3 run of their own with :39 to play to seal the win, 77-67. Oakland Fort and Trent McLaughlin each led the Jacks with 14 points. Jayden Jackson chipped in with 11 and freshman Rockwell Reynolds added ten points in the loss. The Jacks will play the VMI Keydets at noon Saturday in the third place game. The game can be heard on the Varsity Network app.