Box Score LOS ANGELES – A career-high 13 points by freshman Ali Orlich, including two free throws with eight seconds left in regulation to tie the game, were not enough as Humboldt State lost 72-70 in overtime to Cal State L.A. in California Collegiate Athletic Association women's basketball action on Friday night. The Jacks drop to 8-9 overall, 4-7 in the CCAA while the Golden Eagles climb to 13-5 overall and 8-3 in the CCAA.
 
“It's a heart-breaker,” said Humboldt State Head Coach Joddie Gleason. “This Cal State L.A. team is really good and really deep. And I thought we came out and gave it everything we had.  We executed well and played our hearts out.”
 
Humboldt State controlled the first half, completely dominating for more than 11 minutes of play after trailing 4-0, hitting 13 of 19 shots during that time, including five 3-pointers by four different players.
 
The Jacks biggest lead of the first half was 16 points (30-14) at the 7:19 mark after Jessica Johnson made a lay-up after an offensive rebound. Kelli Lewis led a first-half comeback for Cal State L.A., hitting five shots in a row in one stretch to cut the Humboldt lead to six points at the half (35-29).
 
The Golden Eagles outscored HSU 11-3 to start the second half and take a 40-38 lead. But after that the game was tied 10 times in the second half. Humboldt's biggest lead down the stretch was four points (57-53) after Orlich nailed a 3-pointer and Dani Gaumer hit a free throw.
 
“Orlich is a winner,” Gleason said. “She makes plays. She knows basketball. Every team she has been on has won. She knows how to win. She cares very deeply, and brings that it every day to practice.”
 
The Lumberjacks had a chance to pull out the victory in overtime. They had the ball with 27 seconds left in the game, trailing 71-70. But Lisa Petty missed a jumper. Lewis was fouled with five seconds to go and hit one of two free throws, giving Humboldt a chance to tie, down 72-70. But the Jacks could not get a shot off.
 
Lisa Petty led Humboldt State in scoring with 15 points. Kelly Kime had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Cal State L.A. was led by Kelli Lewis with 25 points.
 
Humboldt State continues its road trip with a game at Cal St. Dominguez Hills (5-10 overall, 4-7 CCAA) on Saturday night. The Toros lost to Cal Poly Pomona on Friday, 79-68. In other CCAA action, Cal St. Monterey Bay defeated Chico (51-44), UC San Diego beat San Francisco State (53-51), Sonoma State defeated Cal St. San Bernardino (53-50), and Cal St. East Bay beat Cal St. Stanislaus (53-35).