ARCATA – The Cal State Monterey Bay Otters shot 56 percent in the second half and out scored the Humboldt State women's basketball team by 20 points in the period en route to a 73-59 victory in Lumberjack Arena on Saturday night.

The win improves the Otters record to 14-5 overall, 10-5 in California Collegiate Athletic Association action.  The Jacks are now 14-6, 12-4 in conference play.

Box Score

CSUMB was 15-for-27 in the second half, led by Veronica Williams and LaShawn Johnson, each of whom had 16 point in the period.  For the game Johnson led all scorers with 23 points.  Three other Otters were in double figures.  Williams and Michelle Santizo, with 16 and 11 respectively, and Julie Heurung with a double-double, 15 points and 14 rebounds.

For the Jacks Brittney Taylor had 18 points, 10 rebounds.  Andrea Bobic chipped in 12.

Both teams came out sluggish, scoring just seven points each in the first nine minutes.  The Otters took a four-point lead 14-10 with 8:28 left, but the Lumberjacks fought back to tie it up at 19-19 with 2:24 to play before the half. 

HSU went on an 8-2 run to end the half and took a 27-21 lead to the locker room.  Despite being down CSUMB outrebounded the HSU 23-to-18 and 8-to-2 on the offensive glass.  They used that advantage to outscore the Jacks 8-to-2 in second chance points and 12-to-4 on points in the paint.

In the second half the Jacks pushed their advantage to nine in the first four minutes, but that is when Johnson and Williams erupted.

Over an eight minute, 18 second run, the two combined to score 26 of the next 31 points for CSUMB.  The Otters went from nine points down to 11 points up.  Williams scored 14, including three 3-pointers and Johnson had 12.  HSU trailed 57-46 with 7:17 to play.

Down by 11 and shooting just 37 percent in the half, Humboldt State was forced to foul.  CSU Monterey Bay made 11-of 14 free throws down the stretch to secure a 73-59 victory.

“In the second half we didn't defend very well,” head coach Joddie Gleason said.  “I think Williams was getting the same shots in the first half, she just knocked them down in the second.

“We talk about what we need to do, but we need to come out and do it.  Right now we are not showing the toughness we need to on the court, both physically and mentally.

“If you give up 52 points in a half you are not going to beat anyone.”