Box Score ARCATA – Some players have a knack for big shots at big moments and for Humboldt State this has been Kersey Wilcox.
 
The Lumberjacks' point guard beat the shot clock buzzer with a 10-foot runner in the lane for the lead and start of a game-ending eight-point home run in a 71-64 victory over the Pioneers of Cal State East Bay.
 
"Kersey hit a bunch of jumpers and key baskets tonight. She always comes to play and hit a similar shot in an earlier game," said HSU head coach Joddie Gleason.
 
The HSU (11-8) victory was a big one heading down the stretch of the season. The North Coast team ties its longest winning streak of the year of three-straight wins, while improving to 8-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Cal State East Bay (12-10) drops to one game in front of HSU at 9-6.
 
The win did not come easy for the Jacks.
 
After leading by as many as 12 points midway through the second half, HSU saw that lead slowly dwindle. The Pioneers' Brianna Terrance drained a left corner 3-pointer with 2:37 left in the game for the lead, 64-63, the first visitor advantage since eight minutes into the first half.
 
Wilcox dribbled into the top of the lane, before lofting the game-winner at 2:02 for a 65-64 home advantage. Cal State East Bay misfired on its final seven shots from the floor, while HSU connected on all six of its free throw attempts over the final 120 seconds.
 
"We were able to pull out the win against a really good East Bay team. Tonight, we showed a lot of resiliency when they took the lead and a lot of composure by scoring on the next possession," added Gleason.
 
Wilcox recorded a rather quiet 20-point night on seven of 13 from the field. The junior added five assists, three rebounds and three steals to her line.
 
"We needed to execute, needed to score and were able to do that at the end. We did a better job towards the end of taking care of the ball and being patient," said Wilcox.
 
Center Megan Shields powered her way to five of seven shots for 16 points to go with seven boards.
 
Helping out in a big way on the inside, Amanda Kunst came off the bench for 15 points and nine rebounds. Kunst played big first half minutes where she posted 11 tallies and seven caroms.
 
"With Megan (Shields), Elle (Anderson) and Kelly (Kime) all with two fouls, Amanda came in and played 18 minutes in the first half. Sumayyah (Wiggins) did great as well," noted the HSU coach.
 
"This game was huge. We wanted to get redemption for the first game we played against East Bay. The team helped me out and gave me assists," explained Kunst.
 
Dani Gaumer chipped in nine points and six rebounds in the home win. Jain Tuey rounded out the effort with seven points and five rebounds.
 
Cal State East Bay received a big 20-point evening from Stephanie Lopez. The Pioneers' guard and her teammates pulled down 14 offensive rebounds to help get back into the game.
 
Trailing the first eight minutes, Shields laid the ball in to start a six-point short run and help HSU eventually lead 38-26 at intermission.
 
HSU will try to keep rolling and win its fourth game in a row on Saturday night when it hosts Cal State Monterey Bay starting at 5:30 p.m.