SAN BERNARDINO — A tight battle for most of the game got away from Humboldt State at the end, allowing Cal State San Bernardino to claim a 82-73 win over the Lumberjacks on Saturday and take sole possession of first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Marlon Pierce scored 17 points and gave the Lumberjacks fits all night with his tough defense, helping the Coyotes improve to 15-3 overall and 8-2 in league. HSU dropped to 12-5 overall, falling into second place in the CCAA at 7-3.

Grayson Moyer was one of three Jacks in double digits, scoring 18 points. Devin Peal added 12, and Cy Vandermeer had 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Supporting Pierce on offense for the Coyotes were four others in double figures. Michael Earl equalled his teammate's output with 17 points, Lance Ortiz had 14, David Reichel 11 and Devon Davis 10.

After trailing by as many as 10 points late in the game, Humboldt State pulled within five on Peal's layup and free throw, but two Philip Jones free throws kept HSU at bay. HSU pulled within six points again, but  Reichel broke free for a layup and an intentional foul called on the play helped CSUSB preserve the win.

Most of the game was much more competitive that the final score indicated. After trailing early, the Lumberjacks claimed their first lead when Efren Del Rio hit a three-pointer form the corner to put HSU up, 17-16. The Jacks turned up the defensive pressure, grabbing a five-point lead a minute later when Ernie Spada came up with a steal and found Moyer for a layup and a 22-17 lead.

HSU moved up by nine points, but the Coyotes stormed back with consecutive three-pointers cutting the margin to three at 26-23. Just as quickly, Humboldt State recaptured the momentum, Peal dishing inside to Vandermeer for a layup.

The sword fight continued, Dave Reichel dropping in a jumper for the Coyotes right before Moyer exploded down the floor for a layup. Trailing by five, the Coyotes made the most of their final opportunity of the half, Pierce driving for a layup and free throw that left the Jacks ahead, 37-35 at the break.

CSU San Bernardino stole the momentum in the early minutes of the second half, quickly claiming the lead after three consecutive Lumberjack turnovers. Earl, who sat out much of the first half with two fouls, scored an easy dunk to provide a 45-41 advantage.

The Coyotes tried to shake loose of the Jacks, moving out to a six-point lead before HSU responded with Del Rio's three-pointer. But missed opportunities caught up with the Jacks, and the Coyotes capitalized, pulling ahead by nine points on another Earl dunk.

The  lead varied between nine and six as the game wore on, but every time HSU threatened to pull within striking range the Coyotes seemed to find an answer. Holding a seven-point lead, the Coyotes' appeared to seal the win when Pierce hit another three with just under three minutes to play.

Humboldt State returns home for two CCAA contests this weekend, facing Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday and Cal State Los Angeles on Saturday. Both games tip off at 7:30 p.m. in the East Gym.

Humboldt State University vs Cal State San Bernardino
01-26-08 7:30 p.m. at CSU San Bernardino (Coussoulis Arena)
At CSU San Bernardino (Coussoulis Arena)
CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO 82, HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY 73
HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY (12-5 (7-3 CCAA))
MOYER, Grayson 5-10 9-13 21; PEAL, Devin 7-10 5-7 19; VANDERMEER, Cy 5-7 2-4
12; SHEUFELT, Will 2-7 1-2 7; DEL RIO, Efren 2-4 0-0 6; SPADA, Ernie 1-3 0-0
3; SMITH, Everett 1-5 0-0 3; GREEN, Nick 1-2 0-0 2; FIGGATT, Jameson 0-1 0-0
0. Totals 24-49 17-26 73.
CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO (15-3 (8-2 CCAA))
PIERCE, Marlon 5-10 3-4 17; EARL, Michael 7-9 3-9 17; ORTIZ, Lance 5-11 2-2
14; REICHEL, David 4-8 1-2 11; DAVIS,Devon 5-8 0-0 10; GILZENE, Jason 2-2
1-2 5; BASS, Renardo 2-2 0-1 4; JONES, Philip 0-1 2-2 2; BROWN, Reggie 1-4
0-0 2; TILLMAN, Joseph 0-1 0-0 0; GASTON, Steve 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-57
12-22 82.
Humboldt State University.....   37   36  -   73
Cal State San Bernardino......   35   47  -   82
3-point goals--Humboldt State University 8-19 (MOYER, Grayson 2-4; SHEUFELT,
Will 2-5; DEL RIO, Efren 2-3; SPADA, Ernie 1-3; SMITH, Everett 1-3; PEAL,
Devin 0-1), Cal State San Bernardino 8-22 (PIERCE, Marlon 4-7; ORTIZ, Lance
2-6; REICHEL, David 2-5; BROWN, Reggie 0-2; GASTON, Steve 0-1; EARL, Michael
0-1). Fouled out--Humboldt State University-DEL RIO, Efren, Cal State San
Bernardino-None. Rebounds--Humboldt State University 34 (VANDERMEER, Cy 11),
Cal State San Bernardino 29 (ORTIZ, Lance 5). Assists--Humboldt State
University 16 (MOYER, Grayson 4; SHEUFELT, Will 4), Cal State San Bernardino
22 (PIERCE, Marlon 7). Total fouls--Humboldt State University 19, Cal State
San Bernardino 18. Technical fouls--Humboldt State University-None, Cal
State San Bernardino-TEAM. A-2575
Pack The House Night

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