Box Score ARCATA — When Humboldt State and Chico State face one another on the basketball court, something exciting is going to happen. What exactly that is can be unpredictable, and for the 1,402 fans in Lumberjack Arena on Thursday, emotions ran the gambit from elation to anxiety before turning into satisfaction during Humboldt State's 80-73 win over Chico State.

The underdog Lumberjacks, now 8-9 overall and 4-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association,  built a 21-point halftime lead before the rival Wildcats (10-7, 7-6) stormed back within three points in the second half. Humboldt State righted itself just in time behind the efforts of Austin Bryan and Deaundray Robinson, who helped extend the lead to 10 points again in the final two minutes of the game.

"We've been in that position before, when we build a comfortable lead before our opponent closes the gap," Humboldt State head coach Steve Kinder said. "We knew Chico would be in that mode. We tried to slow their pace, but the flood gates opened."

Bryan, who scored a game-high 25 points, delivered six successful free throws in the final 48 seconds, and Robinson contributed three of his six total steals in the closing minutes, also grabbing an important rebound on his way to a game-high eight boards. Cody Kale also scored in double digits for Humboldt State, adding 11 points and a game-high four assists.

Amir Carraway led the Wildcats surge, finishing with a team-high 17 points that included a 3-for-4 performance from 3-point range. Sean Park scored 12 points and Demario Sims 10 for Chico State. Carraway was also the team's top rebounder, pulling down four boards as the hosts out-rebounded the visitors, 35-24.

Along with his 10-for-10 accuracy from the free throw line, Bryan was equally adept from long range, hitting 3-of-4 3-pointers and 6-of-8 shots from the field overall in only 23 minutes of playing time. Foul trouble and Kinder's platoon system of subbing in five players for five fresh ones throughout the game contributed to Bryan's limited court appearance.

"The platoon system and our practice style has really turned our season around," Bryan said. "We go in and play hard. That's our motto. We're all behind the system and it's starting to pay off for us."

Humboldt's first half lead grew quickly, expanding from 25-24 with 7 minutes, 37 seconds remaining in the period to a 52-31 halftime lead. Rakim Brown's layup started the surge, and Kale completed it with a 35-foot desperation shot that found the bottom of the net as the halftime buzzer sounded.

Chico State dominated early in the second half, however, outscoring the Jacks 15-2 in the first five minutes. Carraway's 3-pointer and pair of free throws pulled the Wildcats within eight points with 14:50 still remaining to be played.

Thomas Witzel pitched in a pair of layups to re-extend the Jacks' lead to 12 points, and the advantage fluctuated by only three points during the next five minutes. But Chico State powered back again, drawing within three points on two free throws by Park.

Steals by Robinson and Witzel reestablished HSU's momentum, and free throws by Kale and Bryan moved HSU up by 10 again to solidify the win.

Humboldt State will be back on the Lumberjack Arena court Saturday to face Cal State Stanislaus in another CCAA contest. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.