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Thursday vs. Sonoma State
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Saturday vs. San Francisco State
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ARCATA, Calif. -- Humboldt State men's basketball returns to Lumberjack Arena Thursday following a road trip against two of the California Collegiate Athletic Association's best. HSU hosts Sonoma State Thursday, Jan. 29, and San Francisco State Friday, Jan. 31. Both games tip off at 7:30 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to attend this weekend's homestand. The first 500 students at Thursday night's doubleheader, beginning with women's basketball at 5:30 p.m., will receive a free HSU cup. Saturday is the HSU corporate partner/season ticket scholarship appreciation night. Forever Humboldt is also holding a pregame reception at Humbrews in Arcata at 4 p.m.

"The way we play is fun to watch and people who come out will enjoy it," said Head Coach Steve Kinder. "We need our fans to come out support the team and we look forward to seeing great fan support this Thursday and Saturday. We appreciate when the community comes to Lumberjack Arena and helps build a home court advantage."

The Lumberjacks split their weekend road trip featuring games against the CCAA's top programs. HSU fell to Cal Poly Pomona in double overtime Friday, 81-79, and topped UC San Diego 83-73 Saturday.

Despite Friday's deflating result, Kinder was impressed with his team's ability to bounce back against the Tritons.

"To snap (UC San Diego's) six-game winning streak, especially after Friday night's loss was big for us," said Kinder. "That trip is very similar to the Chico State-Cal State Stanislaus trip. It can be very difficult and there are logistical concerns to worry about. Cal Poly Pomona took a lot of wind out of our sails, but I am very proud of how we finished the road trip."

HSU will not have to worry about logistics this weekend as it welcomes Sonoma State and San Francisco State to Lumberjack Arena. The Jacks lost their previous meetings with the Seawolves and Gators in December.

The Green and Gold, winners of nine of their last 11 games, are a different team than the one that lost its first three conference games earlier this season. HSU boasts the CCAA's top scoring offense (77.1 points per game) and ranks first in steals (8.3) and blocks (3.8) per game.

One player who has raised his level of play since the beginning of the season is junior Rakim Brown. The Fresno, Calif., native is averaging 8.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and Kinder says he has become the backbone of the team.

"He has come a long way in a short amount of time. He has really done a great job of dedicating himself and focusing in our practice, video and scout sessions," said Kinder. "He is getting key rebounds and scoring points, but he also is out defending well and doing things that don't appear in the stat sheet. He is an active defender that is helping us win games."

Brown has scored 10 or more points in each of the last four games and averaged 11 points over the weekend.

Sonoma State visits the North Coast after losing four of its last five games, including Saturday versus Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Toros edged the Seawolves by seven, 73-67, in the Wolves' Den.

James Davis leads the Seawolves and ranks third in the CCAA in scoring with 15.6 points per game. Davis scored 16 versus the Green and Gold in the first meeting and has tallied 10 or more points in his last six outings.

"They are a very physical and well-coached team," said Kinder. "We consider each other rivals, and (Sonoma State) Head Coach Fuscaldo and I are competitors and we have a good friendship. The Gators are physical, rebound at a high level and patient with the basketball. They scout well and will come in knowing our patterns and our offenses."

HSU is 8-1 at home this season and this weekend's homestand has postseason implications. Both opponents are 6-6 in CCAA play, the same conference record as the Jacks.