MONMOUTH, Ore. – Megan Shields made the most of playing close to home. The Humboldt State center's 24-point output powered the women's basketball team past Western Oregon, 70-60, Saturday afternoon.
 
Trailing 23-21 with 1:46 in the first half, Shields converted a three-point play to start a 12-0 run, which she totaled seven of the points, over a four-minute period. The second 2:16 of the Lumberjacks' run opened the second half and gave the visitors a 33-23 advantage over the Wolves (0-4). HSU (2-1) led the rest of the contest for the 10-point win.
 
"It was a 'Welcome Home' for Megan. She was close to home (from Sherwood, Ore. 50 miles away) and had a lot of friends and family able to see the game," said HSU Head Coach Joddie Gleason. "She played really well as we were able to get her the ball. Megan worked hard to challenge the Western Oregon shooters without fouling and she was able to block four shots."
 
Shields converted 9-of-11 attempts and connected on all six of her foul shots for the 24-point effort, two points shy of her HSU career mark of 26 points set last season at home against Cal State Stanislaus. The senior also grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots in 25 minutes of action.
 
Jae Shin continued her strong early season. The shooting guard produced double figures for the third time in as many games with 13 points. She hit 3-of-7 3-pointers and had a career-high four assists.
 
"We really made the extra pass to get good looks at the basket," said the HSU coach. "Jae went 3-for-4 in the second half, but it was her ability to attack the basket that made a difference. When she can do both (hit her shots and attack the basket), she is tough to guard."
 
Dani Gaumer recorded a solid all-around game with seven points, nine rebounds and three assists. Nikki Powell and A'Jaee Foster combined for 12 points and nine boards.
 
The afternoon contest started slow. HSU's Amanda Kunst put the first points on the scoreboard with a pair of free throws, 2-0, 3:19 into the game. The Jacks led 10-5 on a Shields' three-point play at 11:03.
 
After a Foster layup to make it 16-13 HSU, Western Oregon put together its best run of the opening half. Off two layups and two free throws, the Wolves ran ahead, 19-16.
 
Kersey Wilcox's lone bucket of the day, a 3-pointer from the left wing, answered the home run and tied the contest, 19-19. The Wilcox trey started a 10-4 Jacks spurt over the final three minutes of the opening half. HSU scored the final five points to take a 26-23 lead into intermission.
 
"We settled for perimeter shots to start. We had a line change and our next five gave us great minutes and got us going," said Gleason.
 
HSU continued its run of the game to open the second half. Gaumer pulled down a defensive rebound and drained a triple on the other end to start the scoring. Shields took a pass inside from Gaumer and converted it for two points, before she added two free throws for the Jacks' largest lead, 33-23, at 17:44.
 
Western Oregon pulled to within four points, 33-29, with the next six points, but could get no closer the rest of the way.
 
HSU enjoyed its largest lead of 16 points, 59-43, with 5:37 remaining on two Gaumer free throws. The Jacks answered each Wolves surge attempt and took away the 70-60 victory.
 
Jordan Mottershaw paced Western Oregon with 17 points and Dana Goularte posted a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.
 
HSU makes its regular season home debut Tuesday night. The Jacks host the Royals of Hope International in a 7 p.m. tip-off.