Box Score ARCATA — After taking an introspective look at themselves following last week's season-opener, Humboldt State's men's basketball players – with help from their coaches – identified three areas that needed improvement. First, the Lumberjacks had to avoid reckless fouls. Second, they must work on being patient with shot selection. And finally, the Jacks needed to take better care of the ball.

Accomplishing two out of three objectives in Monday's game against Menlo College, the Lumberjacks also achieved the most important goal – a 74-59 victory that improved their record to 2-0. They shot the ball efficiently, finishing with a 62-percent effort from the field, and only sent their opponents to the free throw line six times.  But they also gave the ball away 24 times via the turnover, something that must improve before their Nov. 21 California Collegiate Athletic Association opener against Cal Poly Pomona.

"We improved in both the foul and shot selection areas," Humboldt State head coach Steve Kinder said. "We also wanted to fix the turnover situation, but instead, it got worse."

Menlo matched the Jacks with 24 giveaways of its own, partially a reflection of the sometimes frantic tempo of the game. When they weren't scoring via the fast break, the Jacks worked the ball inside to post Alec Williams, who led all scorers with 19 points on a 9-of-12 shooting effort.

"I focused on playing inside more tonight, hoping to get for more ball touches," said Williams, who was also HSU's high rebounder with eight boards. "When we get it inside, that opens up the outside, too. We did a better job of that tonight."

In the game's first five minutes the Lumberjacks made all five of their shots, five different players scoring during the streak. That effort moved HSU ahead, 12-4, and they expanded that advantage to 12 points in the next 10 minutes.

Menlo College's ChaRunn Jones kept Humboldt State from getting too comfortable, however, hitting three 3-pointers, the final one cutting the lead to single digits at 38-29 when the half ended.

In the early minutes of the second half, the Oaks threatened to catch the Lumberjacks, pulling within five points following another 3-pointer by Jones and a free throw by Malik Dunbar. Tyler Brown's layup following a steal by Nathan Hentley once again pushed the HSU lead to double digits, where it remained for the final 14 minutes.

Every Lumberjack once again saw court time, and most contributed points on the way to the game's widest margin, a 74-53 advantage. Hentley's 3-pointer provided the 21-point lead heading into the game's final minute.

Aaron Chamberlain was the only other HSU player to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points. Deaundray Robinson scored nine points and Thomas Witzel added eight, while sophomore point guard Brandon Woods completed the evening with six points, four assists and four steals.

Jones was the Oaks' leading scorer, putting up 12 points on a 4-of-12 effort from 3-point range. Charles Barnes scored nine points, and Dunbar contributed seven and a team-high 10 rebounds.

Humboldt State heads back to the practice court this week in preparation for its next outing, the Nov. 21 home game and league-opener against the Broncos. The Lumberjacks will end Thanksgiving week with a Saturday, Nov. 24 home contest against non-conference opponent Holy Names University.