Box Score ARCATA — Humboldt State's Thomas Witzel found playing an extra five minutes agreeable Thursday, erupting for 10 point in overtime to lead the Lumberjacks to a 108-100 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay.

Hometown hero Witzel – who played his prep career for Arcata High School – energized his team and the crowd during the extra period, adding a big rebound and key steal to his super hero-like efforts. He finished the game with 17 points and a team-high eight rebounds in 28 minutes of playing time.

The victory avenged a loss to the Otters sustained earlier this season, improving HSU to 10-11 overall and 6-11 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Cal State Monterey Bay dropped to 8-16 in all games and 4-13 in conference play.

Rakim Brown finished with 22 points to top Humboldt State's scoring efforts, hitting 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Austin Bryan added 18 points, including back-to-back 3-pointers near the end of in regulation, the second one tying the game at 89-89 with four seconds remaining. Deaundray Robinson (17) and Cody Kale (12), also scored in double figures for HSU, Kale contributing eight assists while committing only a single turnover.

It took a complete team effort for HSU to overcome a surging CSU Monterey Bay unit that rallied from a nine-point deficit to eventually grab a five-point lead with 24 seconds remaining in regulation. Bryan's timely shooting extended the game, however, setting up Witzel's party.

"I felt good in general going into the overtime," Witzel said. "Cody (Kale) got the ball to me for some open looks. That dunk obviously jacked me up a lot."

Witzel's dunk – his first collegiate throw-down – came with the Jacks leading by one point with 3 minutes, 41 seconds remaining in overtime. After hitting a free throw that gave HSU the lead, the freshman anticipated Kevin Loustale's pass, coming up with the steal and flying down-court to make the slam.

Following another Otter turnover, Kale fed Witzel, and the 6-6 local hit his second 3-pointer to give the Jacks a six-point lead. Brandon Ward's jumper pulled CSUMB within four points before Robinson connected on two free throws, but a 3-pointer by the Otters' Coley Apsay cut the HSU lead to 99-96.

With 1:22 on the clock, Kale again found Witzel, who dropped in a 15-foot jumper. Brown picked off a pass, then hit two free throws, and one successful  foul shot from Witzel and two by Bryan extended Humboldt State's lead to 10 points, sealing the win.

"(Witzel) is going to have a great career here," HSU head coach Steve Kinder said. "You'll see Tom rising to the occasion in these next five games. We feel good when he has the ball in his hands."

Cal State Monterey Bay kept HSU from pulling away despite trailing for the final 16:24 of regulation. The Otters finished with a blazing 62-percent shooting effort from the field, leading to six players scoring in double figures.

Alex Fertig paced the CSUMB offense with 18 points, and Apsay added 15, hitting three 3-point attempts. Chris Gallop and Kevin Loustale each contributed 14 points, while Ward and Julian Ball scored 11 apiece.

Humboldt State will be back in action Saturday, hosting Cal State East Bay at 7:30 p.m. in Lumberjack Arena.