ARCATA, Calif. -- The Humboldt State men's basketball never trailed and extended its winning streak to three games with a non-conference victory, 103-78, over Pacific Union Saturday night in Lumberjack Arena.
 
"I was proud of how we prepared for this game all week long. Our hard work paid off early in the game," said HSU Head Coach Steve Kinder. "We came out with the right mindset and, even though it's a non-conference game, we played hard, made stops and converted those into baskets."
  
With a victory in the final game of 2014, the Lumberjacks advance to 6-4 overall and a perfect 6-0 against non-conference foes. The Pioneers' setback snaps a three-game win streak and leaves them with a 5-8 overall record.
 
The star of HSU's 25-point win was the Green and Gold defense, which held the visiting Pioneers to a lone assist in 40 minutes of action. The Jacks also caused 26 turnovers and came up with 15 steals and five blocks.
 
"Statistically we dominated the game by getting in the lanes and denying passes," said Kinder. "We were able to keep them from playing assist basketball. And that is what we want."
 
Pacific Union tied the score twice in the game's opening minutes, but that was as close as the visitors came to matching HSU. At the 17:46 mark in the opening half and the game tied 4-4, the Lumberjacks began a 26-2 run that lasted less than eight minutes and gave them a 30-6 edge with 9:52 remaining in the period.
 
The Green and Gold denied the Pioneers an assist in the opening 20 minutes and forced 16 turnovers. HSU led by 24, 54-30, at halftime. Malik Morgan led all scorers with 10 first-half points and five assists. Calvin Young II the second turned in a solid first half performance with eight points and a team-best seven rebounds.
 
HSU shot 58 percent in the first half compared to Pacific Union's 41 percent shooting total. The Jacks accumulated eight steals and three blocks before the break.
 
Both teams scored at will in the second half, but the Jacks' advantage was too much to overcome for the Pioneers. Despite shooting 56 percent from the field and 50 percent from long distance in the final period, the Pioneers were outscored 49-48.
 
Allan Guei's energy on the offensive and defensive ends was contagious and helped the Jacks close out the non-conference game strong. Guei scored 13 second half points and finished with a team-leading 20 points. The Compton, Calif., native viciously attacked the basket throughout the second period and he swiped five second-half rebounds. He was 8-for-14 from the field overall and 2-for-3 from outside the arc.
 
"He is an energizing player and is fun to watch," said Kinder. "Allan is a crowd favorite, a coach favorite and a team favorite. The guys love him and we take advantage of his efforts on the court. He plays 40 minutes and showed his endurance (tonight)."
 
The Pioneers' Devon Marshall compiled 18 second-half points and ended the game with a team-best 24.
 
Guei wasn't the only HSU player to score 10 or more points in the win. Morgan (16), Rakim Brown (16), Andrew Cones (10) and Thomas Witzel (10) all reached double digits for the Green and Gold. Witzel also punished opposing offensive players with team-high three blocks.
 
HSU returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 1, at home against Cal State Dominguez Hills. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
"We should feel good about ourselves after these three wins," said Kinder. "The guys worked hard going through finals week and played at a high level throughout this game. We have two tough opponents when we come back in Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State Los Angeles."