ARCATA – Once again, Humboldt State hits the road for a string of away games, starting with the Jacks' second Southern California swing to compete against tough opponents. The Jacks travel to Cal State San Bernardino Friday, Jan. 20, before challenging the National Collegiate Athletic Association Div. II's No. 1-ranked UC San Diego Tritons on Saturday. Both games will tipoff at 5:30 p.m.
Humboldt State stands in fourth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association at 11-3 overall and 7-3 in conference action. CSU San Bernardino is three spots behind the Jacks with an overall record of 5-9 and 4-6 in the CCAA. UCSD continues its 16-game unbeaten streak, including 10 conference contests, placing the Tritons in the top spot amongst the CCAA competition.
Head-to-Head
Last year, the Jacks lost both of their games against the Coyotes, including a close, heartbreaking 86-84 overtime loss at home. Humboldt State still holds series in its favor, edging out CSUSB 6-5, despite the two losses last season.
Humboldt State and UC San Diego prepare for a battle each time the two teams face each other. Last year when HSU travelled to La Jolla, the Jacks beat the Tritons in double-overtime, 92-88. UCSD and Humboldt State turned around and competed in another close game, this time, however, the Jacks couldn't pull out the victory, losing 63-61 at home. UCSD has a one-game edge in the overall series against HSU, winning eight of the 15 contests.
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Lumberack Notes
The Jacks head out on the road once again to Southern California, coming off a split at home. In their first matchup against a ranked opponent, the Jacks headed into overtime with No. 17-ranked Cal Poly Pomona, but ultimately fell 83-79 to the Broncos. HSU rebounded with a 66-61 victory over San Francisco State to complete its home games for January.
Under head coach
Joddie Gleason's leadership, Humboldt State averages 65.3 points per game while limiting its opponents to 60.6 ppg. The Jacks' .372 field goal percentage defense is the third best among CCAA member institutions. HSU stands in the No. 2 spot in both three-point categories, including three-point field goal percentage (.332) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.226). With their high-intensity defending, the Jacks rank among the top three teams in steals, averaging 10 per game, just under UCSD.
Lisa Petty continues to lead the scoring for the Jacks, averaging 13.7 ppg against CCAA opponents.
Caitie Richards is catching up to Petty as she averages 11.7 ppg with the conference's third-best three-point field goal percentage of .375.
Kayla Williams—who also has been heating up in shooting, averaging 10.6 ppg—ranks second in assists, dishing out 3.8 assists per game.
Bree Halsey controls the boards for HSU, averaging 10.1 rebounds per game to place her in third on the conference leader board.
Coyote Notes
Cal State San Bernardino enters Friday's contest fighting to make its way into the top tier of the CCAA standings. The Coyotes have struggled to keep their opponents to 62.2 ppg while only scoring on average 58.6 ppg. CSUSB, however, leads the conference in blocked shots, averaging 3.6 per game. Angela Street and Eliza Dy are the dynamic scoring duo for the Coyotes, averaging 14.1 ppg and 14.0 ppg, respectively. In conference games alone, Streets averages 15.1 ppg and ranks fourth in three-point field goal percentage with a .362-percent. Kenisha McKee is responsible for the Coyotes blocked shots prowess, collecting 21 blocks in CSUSB's 14 games.
Triton Notes
UCSD was voted the No. 1 team in NCAA Div. II after becoming the first team in the program's history to win its first 16 games, matching the program's longest winning streak overall. The Tritons beat Cal State East bay 84-73 before grabbing a staggering 91-63 victory over now No. 22-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay. Earlier this year, the Tritons beat No. 17 Cal Poly Pomona by 14 points, 78-64. As a team, UCSD averages 83.1 ppg and allows 63.2 ppg from its opponents. Chelsea Carlisle—who was named the CCAA's Player of the Week this week for the third time this season—leads the team with 16.5 ppg. Not only is Carlisle a threat scoring-wise, she can also find her open teammates and has picked up 101 assists in 16 games. Lauren Freidenburg and Emily Osga follow closely behind with 14.1 ppg and 12.1 ppg, respectively.
Injury Report
Kelly Kime has made her way back into the playing rotation, but continues to fight with a leg injury. Kime played in both games over the weekend, scoring five points and snagging four rebounds.
Patrice Saindon sat Saturday's game out with a foot injury and is questionable for this weekend's games.
Gleason's Gabs...
...on the Coyotes
"I think Cal State San Bernardino is a really good team, just from watching them on film. Their guard play is extremely strong and athletic. We match up well against them and play in a similar style by attacking the basket until the defense breaks down. They do a good job moving the ball to find the open shooter."
...on the No. 1 Tritons
"It's a challenge to play the No. 1 team and UCSD is a well-oiled machine. They're tough to defend because they get out and force so many turnovers to get points in transitions. The best defense against them is a good offense. We've matched up well against them in the past, but it's all about taking care of the ball." ... "Having a player like Chelsea Carlisle, who makes everyone around them better, is a challenge because if you focus on her, she can find others."
...on playing back-to-back tough opponents
"You just have to go out and do the best you can back-to-back without a day of rest in between. Everyone has to do it, though, it's not like it's uneven for anyone."
