ARCATA – Coming off a big victory over rival Chico State Saturday night, Humboldt State turned around with another double-digit win, this time over Cal State Stanislaus. The Jacks beat the Warriors 76-60, led by Caitie Richards with a season-best 25 points in 29 minutes of action.

Video Highlights

HSU improves its overall record to 8-1 overall, 4-1 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play, and extends its winning streak to three games. Cal State Stanislaus drops to 3-6 overall and remains on the hunt for its first conference victory.

"There's always a bit of concern after you have a big win," said head coach Joddie Gleason. "I think the day off [in between] actually helped so we could focus and prepare. This group is ready to play, they're going to show up every day and really try to make things happen. I was really happy with the way we came out and defended well in the beginning."

The score stayed fairly close in the first seven minutes, with neither team leading by more than three points, but Humboldt State found its rhythm and went on an eight-point run to put the Jacks up by nine.

Richards led the attack for the Jacks, with two of her fellow teammates scoring in double digits. Lisa Petty shot 50-percent from both in and out of the paint to grab 14 points (and eight rebounds), while Whitney Howard got back on track to grab 12 points—Howard has scored in double figures in all but two games. Bree Halsey posted up well for the Jacks, snagging 10 rebounds off the boards.

"You want to pick up any slack for your team and the post collectively did work tonight," said Howard. "They started doubling us so we kicked it out and our guards started hitting their shots. It was great team basketball."

Theresa Henderson and Lauren Godde both scored 15 points for the Warriors, followed by Jamiez Terrell with 12 points. Henderson registered 11 rebounds to complete the only double-double of the night.

"Henderson is a great all-around player—she leads the conference in scoring—and we did an excellent job in the first half of making her take tough shots," said Gleason.

The Jacks never surrendered their lead in the first half, even extending it to 15 at one point, ultimately heading into the lockers at halftime with a 13-point cushion. 

"I think we're working really well together right now," said Richards. "We have a rhythm down. If we're not having good shots, we'll get to the basket. We're doing a good job exploiting what we do well."

HSU exploded and exploited in the second half, grabbing a 23-point lead by scoring nine unanswered points in the first four minutes of action. The lead faltered a little, but never dropped below double figures—the Jacks never led by less than 13 points. Karen Pontoni sealed the victory for Humboldt State, sinking her two free throw shots with just 18 seconds left on the clock.

"Ball movement is a big thing and rhythm," said Richards. "We're taking good shots and getting good passes. When we execute correctly, we get the points."

Humboldt State will have a little break for the holidays before returning to action on New Year's Eve at Sonoma State, but Gleason and her team aren't worried the break will do them harm.

"We're coming off great wins against Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus so we'll be thinking about that over break," said Howard.

"It's always different after you play a team once," said Gleason. "Playing on the road a second time after we beat them, they're going to be ready to go. Sonoma State is always a tough place for us to play, so we'll be ready. We'll enjoy our week off and rest and come back ready to play."