ARCATA — True to the nature of this long-standing rivalry, Humboldt State and Chico State battled until the game's waning moments before the Lumberjacks emerged with a 65-60 victory on Saturday.

Boxscore

Having played one another 177 times, including their first meeting in 1934, fans have learned to expect a head-to-head battle between the California Collegiate Athletic Association opponents. A sellout crowd of 1,850 faithful in Lumberjack Arena was rewarded when the Jacks took a 10-point lead, then watched Chico State rally to grab a lead of its own, only to see the Jacks' big plays down the stretch preserve the victory.

"(Chico State) Coach (Greg) Klink had them well-prepared for the second half," HSU head coach Steve Kinder said. "It was a great game, worthy of this rivalry. It was a Humboldt State-Chico State classic."

Humboldt improved its record 18-2 overall and is now 14-2 in the CCAA. The victory, combined with Cal Poly Pomona's win over Cal State Dominguez Hills, inched the Lumberjacks into sole possession of first place in league.

Chico State dropped to 11-9 on the season and 7-9 in the CCAA. The loss was the program's 12th straight to HSU, the last Wildcat win coming in the 2004-05 season..

It didn't come easily for HSU following a 34-24 first-half lead that quickly dwindled to three points when the Wildcats opened the second half with a 9-2 run. Roderick Hawkins and Demario Sims did most of the damage before HSU went inside to big men Brian Morris and Randy Hunter to reestablish the lead at seven points.

Morris finished the night with 17 points and earned a double-double with 12 rebounds. Brandon Sperling put up 15 points from his point guard position and Scott Clark scored a season-best nine.

Hawkins topped all scorers on the evening with 20 points, and earned a double-double of his own with a game-high 13 rebounds. Sims was the other Wildcat in double digits, finishing with 12 points.

Only seconds after HSU had forged another lead at 40-33 with 14 minutes, 43 seconds remaining, the Wildcats made their second run of the half. Hawkins started it with a layup and six minutes later Sims' 3-pointer game gave Chico State its first lead of the game, 48-45 with 8:26 left to play.

Chico State maintained its lead for the next two minutes, its greatest advantage at 49-45 on Hawkins' free throw. But Sperling's drive to the bucket and ensuing free throw moved HSU ahead again.

The Wilcats led once more, 59-57 with 3:08 remaining, but after Ernie Spada drained a 3-pointer on HSU's next trip down the court the Jacks never trailed again. Sperling converted another layup and free throw after being fouled and free throws by Randy Hunter and Elliot Babcock-Krenk held the Wildcats at bay in the final seconds.

"We have a belief among our players that really helps us in the final minutes of a close game," Kinder said. "It's about the bloodline that was established by Coach Tom Wood and has been passed down from outstanding player to outstanding player. They have poise and composure when it counts the most."

Humboldt State goes on the road for two major challenges this week, facing Cal Poly Pomona on Friday and Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday. Those contests begin a stretch of four straight road games before HSU finishes at home against Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State Los Angeles.