ARCATA, Calif. -- The Humboldt State men's basketball team won its fifth straight home game as it defeated Cal State East Bay, 87-80, Thursday in Lumberjack Arena.
 
With Thursday's win, the Lumberjacks improved to 10-5 overall and 4-5 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play. Cal State East Bay's loss sinks the Pioneers to 4-11 overall and 2-7 against CCAA opposition.
 
"We are extremely proud of how we played the game defensively," said Head Coach Steve Kinder. "The last eight games we have proven that our offense has a lot of firepower. Cal State East Bay has a lot of weapons, and I think we did some good things individually and collectively."
 
David Howard sparked the Green and Gold offense with its first basket of the game, a 3-point bucket from the top of the key. Howard's three first half treys helped the Jacks to a six-point, 22-16, advantage at 12:22. The Chicago native was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field in the opening half and led HSU with 12 points.
 
HSU led by 13, 44-31, at the end of the first half after a Malik Morgan free throw make. Morgan scored eight points in the game's first 20 minutes and swiped a pair of steals.
 
Despite the halftime lead, the Pioneers would rally early in the second half with the help of Nick Grieves. Grieves went 3-for-4 from long distance before injuring his ankle midway through the half. His last trey, at the 13:04 mark, trimmed the Green and Gold lead to nine, 58-49.
 
Without Grieves the Jacks rebuilt their lead and led by 12 with under three minutes left.
 
Five Jacks scored 10 or more points in Thursday's victory. Austin Bryan (18), Calvin Young II (17), Howard (17), Rakim Brown (13) and Morgan (12) were HSU's top scorers. Bryan and Howard both connected on three 3-pointers and the Jacks connected on 46.7 percent of its shots from outside the arc.
 
"This (balance) is a luxury," said Kinder. "We have good players who will rise to the occasion on a game-to-game basis. Our players know that we will be successful when we play assist basketball."
 
Morgan dished out a team-high nine assists and grabbed a pair of rebounds.
 
"Malik is awfully mature for a true freshman and is an extension of the coaching staff on the court," said Kinder.
 
The Jacks shot 51.9 percent from the field and converted 26-of-32 (81.3 percent) trips to the charity stripe. HSU lost the rebounding battle 33-29 to Cal State East Bay. Young led the Jacks with seven boards.
 
HSU hosts Cal State Monterey Bay Saturday at Lumberjack Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
"(Cal State Monterey Bay) is a very physical team that is coming off a loss," said Kinder. "They have a few weapons that can play and score. Defensively, they will throw some different looks at you."