Box Score ARCATA — Scoring more points than the other team is the simplified way to look at a basketball game's successful outcome. But though his team exploded past the century barrier again Saturday, HSU head coach
Steve Kinder was less than satisfied with the the numbers his squad surrendered to the visitors.
Extending their streak of success to four straight, Humboldt State's 105-92 win over Simpson University improved the Jacks' record to 4-1 heading into California Collegiate Athletic Conference action. They'll have to do better, defensively, if they hope to start league play with a win when UC San Diego visits Lumberjack arena.
"We allowed out opponent to shoot 51 percent from the floor and score 92 points," Kinder said. "I'd give us a non-passing grade on defense if this was our fall semester midterm."
HSU's offense was good enough, however, with six players scoring in double digits to put the Lumberjacks over the top. That balance became important when three starters had their minutes limited by foul trouble.
Parker Farris managed to minimize his own fouls, and used an 8-for-12 shooting effort to score a team-high 22 points. The McKinleyville marksman drained six shots of 10 shots from 3-point range.
"Each shot I hit I get a little more confidence," Farris said. "It's been a little tough shooting like it was last game, so confidence might be a little low. Once we hit one, we hit another. We feed off each other on this team."
Other key contributions came from
Allan Guei, with 17 points, and
Jordan Mackie, with 14 points. Despite being limited to only 16 minutes of playing time after picking up two early fouls,
David Howard added 16 points and achieved his third double-double of the season by grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds.
Pacing the visiting Red Hawks were Anthony Williams, who scored 26 points, and Ian Corella, who added 22. Shaquille Jones contributed 20 points for Simpson.
HSU's defense was completely absent in the game's early moments when the visitors converted seven of their first eight shots from the field. They maintained the hot hand through the first 10 minutes, stretching their lead to 29-21 on a pair of free throws by Williams.
Humboldt State enjoyed a brief surge, cutting the deficit to two points on
Colin Caslick's 3-pointer with 8 minutes, 7 seconds remaining in the opening half, but Simpson responded with six straight points, stretching its lead to 40-31 when Marc Kirkland sank a 3-pointer four minutes later.
The Lumberjacks quickly recovered, outscoring the Red Hawks 15-1 in the final 3:45. Farris' 3-pointer and a pair of free throws by Pomrehn sent the Jacks into the lockerroom with a 46-41 advantage.
"When we hit shots tonight, it fueled the defensive effort, the crowd got excited and we started to click," Kinder said. "I'd actually like to see the opposite. I'd prefer defensive stops to fuel our offense."
In the second half the Jacks maintained a lead throughout, but Simpson didn't quit, pulling within four points at 77-73 when Dalton Thacker sank a 3-pointer with 8:46 remaining. But HSU rebuilt its lead, stretching it to 17 points to cruise home with the victory.
Thursday's league-opener against UC San Diego tips off at 7:30 p.m. following the women's game between the Jacks and Tritons. On Saturday, HSU will take the court against CSU San Bernardino in another CCAA matchup.
