SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – In the final game of the 2014 part of its schedule, the Humboldt State women's basketball team's bench depth and a stiff defense proved to be too much for Cal State San Bernardino in a 61-42 win and completed the season series sweep Saturday night.
 
With three starters in very early foul trouble, the Lumberjack bench stepped up with 23 first half points to help build a 34-22 halftime lead. HSU opened the second period on a 12-4 run and it held host Cal State San Bernardino to under 20 percent shooting to spur the victory.
 
For only the second time since joining the California Collegiate Athletic Association nine years ago, HSU has started 4-0 in league action. The Jacks also hold an 8-1 overall record with the lone loss coming at the hands of No. 19 Seattle Pacific in overtime. Cal State San Bernardino fell to 6-2 with both losses coming to HSU over the last two Saturdays and dropped to 2-2 in the CCAA.
 
"I wouldn't want it any other way (than the team's 4-0 conference start). It's early, but I am happy with the start," said HSU Head Coach Joddie Gleason. "We went to the bench early and often. The bench was able to get us the lead and extend it. They did all we all asked of them. It was a great all-around team effort."
 
The all-around Jacks' effort was shown by 10 of the 11 players netting points.  Kersey Wilcox finished as the lone double figure scorer with 15 points to go with four rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.
 
"We received great bench energy and that's what we need," said Wilcox.
 
Wilcox saw eight of her teammates contribute at least four points. Despite not scoring in the first half, Jae Shin hit 3-of-4 second period tries for eight points.
 
It was the HSU bench, which made the difference. The six non-starters produced 26 of the team's 61 points. The Jacks' reserves outscored the Coyotes' bench, 23-3, in the first half.
 
Neika Puryear and Nyaa Davis paced the HSU bench players with seven points apiece, respectively. Puryear had one trey and an assist, while Davis' seven points and three rebounds are her season-highs. Amanda Kunst added six points and four rebounds of her own.
 
Three starters A'Jaee Foster, Megan Shields and Dani Gaumer and Nikki Powell all chipped in four points. Foster grabbed a team-best eight boards, while Shields and Gaumer had five. Powell pulled down four rebounds and blocked a shot.
 
For the third-straight game, HSU held its opponent to 50 points or less as it allowed the lowest point total of 42 points of the season to Cal State San Bernardino. The Jacks held the Coyotes' offense to 11-for-56 shooting (19.6 percent) from the field. The visitors also outrebounded Cal State San Bernardino, 40-38, overall and pulled down 33 defensive boards.

"The team really bought into the game plan and what we wanted to do. We defended with urgency and played smart team basketball, which resulted in tougher shots for them," said Gleason.
 
Tied at 13, Davis sparked the HSU charge. The junior forward scored three-straight buckets to start a 10-4 spurt, 23-17, at 7:25 in the first half. Leading 29-22 five minutes later, Powell laid in a basket, before Puryear drained a trey at the buzzer for a 34-22 HSU intermission advantage.
 
After combining for only three first half points due to foul trouble, Wilcox and Shin made their marks in the opening minutes of the second period. Following a Cal State San Bernardino layup, Wilcox hit jumpers around a pair of Shin 3-pointers as part of a 12-4 run in the first five minutes to open a 46-26 lead.
 
"We came out in the second half and did what we needed to do. We executed on offense and got stops on defense," said Wilcox.
 
At 13:36 remaining, Shin added her third basket, a layup, for HSU's largest lead of 21 points, 48-27. The Jacks did not let the Coyotes closer than 15 points the rest of the way to take away the 61-42 victory.
 
HSU has the next 11 days off to enjoy the holiday season. The Jacks return to action at home to start the New Year. HSU entertains Cal State Dominguez Hills on Thursday, Jan. 1 in a 5:30 p.m. contest in Lumberjack Arena.
 
"We are happy with our start. We will get back from the break and be fired up ready to go," said Gleason.