ARCATA, Calif. – The No. 25 ranked Humboldt State women's basketball team scored on the game's opening possession and led all 40 minutes as it ran past rival Sonoma State, 88-62, Thursday night in Lumberjack Arena.
 
Nikki Powell's back-to-back buckets and a Kersey Wilcox mid-range jumper put the Lumberjacks ahead, 6-0, in the opening 1:22 of the contest and they never looked back. The HSU lead grew to double figures, 16-6, five minutes into the first half, stood at 17 points, 50-33, at intermission, and it coasted to the victory.
 
"It was a fun game. I felt like the team came out and made plays on defense and made our offense from those defensive plays," said HSU Head Coach Joddie Gleason. "We never slowed down during the entire game."
 
With the victory, the Jacks improved to 16-2 overall and kept their California Collegiate Athletic Association-leading lead at 12-1. Sonoma State fell to 6-11 on the year and 4-9 in the CCAA.
 
HSU was able to break open the game early as it dropped 7-of-14 treys in the first half. Jae Shin and Dani Gaumer combined to hit 6-of-11 of those long-range attempts.
 
Shin had the hot hand and recorded her third 20-point night of the year. The senior downed 6-of-8 from 3-point range and 8-of-11 overall for 24 points. In the first half, Shin connected on 5-of-6 tries and 3-for-4 treys for 13 points.
 
"Jae gets open as Kersey (Wilcox) draws so much attention. The attention forces teams to help," said Gleason. "Jae and our other shooters would not be as open if Kersey didn't make it past the initial defense and attack."
 
Wilcox dished out her third double-digit assist night. The point guard finished with 10 assists to go with nine points and a pair of steals.
 
"That was a fun one. We were focused for this game and we learned from last weekend," said Wilcox. "I want to attack and create for people. I knew Jae (Shin) was on and was looking for her all night."
 
On the inside, Powell and A'Jaee Foster provided plenty of scoring punch. Powell recorded her season-high of 12 points, eight in the first half, on 6-for-8 shooting. She added three rebounds and two blocked shots in 15 minutes of action.
 
"Nikki is so athletic. She gets to the ball, is quick on defensive rotations and gets to the boards. She played great," said Gleason.
 
"It feels good to contribute more (than earlier in the year). I have to keep playing hard and stay focused each night," said Powell.
 
For the fifth time this season, Foster produced a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds. The junior added four assists.
 
Not to be forgotten, Gaumer drained four 3-pointers in 10 tries for an even 12 points. She handed out five assists and pulled down two rebounds.
 
Off the bench, Riann Thayer, Amanda Kunst, Nyaa Davis and Kelci Haueter chipped in four points apiece.
 
Sonoma State's Hannah Sourek and Emilee Osagiede each had 12 points.
 
HSU will not take its Saturday home opponent lightly in San Francisco State.
 
"This is the exact weekend that kept us out of the (CCAA) tournament last year," said Gleason.
 
Saturday's game starts at 5:30 p.m.