ARCATA, Calif. – The same team that gave Humboldt State fits last season, continued its ways in this year's opener. Seattle Pacific (1-0) knocked off the Lumberjacks (0-1) in the opening game of the West Region Challenge, 82-58.
 
"We didn't get anything easy, and we settled for tougher shots tonight," said Head Coach Joddie Gleason. "They are a great western region team, and we try to schedule hard to help us prepare for our conference. Win or lose, tough matches will prepare us for the CCAA."
 
After allowing 29 opening quarter points, the Jacks were forced to play from behind the entire night. In less than two and a half minutes from the opening tip, HSU was down by double-digits, 15-10, courtesy of a three by the game's leading scorer Jordan McPhee. The Falcon's sophomore guard finished the game with 17 points on 5-10 shooting.
 
The second quarter was not much easier for the Green and Gold. After allowing SPU to shoot over 52% (20-38) from the field over the opening two sessions, the Jacks went into the locker room down 23 points, 51-28.
 
The bright spot came in the third quarter, when the Green and Gold implemented the halftime adjustments. Not only did HSU allow just 10 Falcon points, but Humboldt ended the quarter with a 10-2 run of its own.
 
Despite the momentum from the third period, SPU was able to bring the game out of hand and stretch their lead in the final moments, claiming the opening night game, 82-58.
 
"We changed our defense to start the third quarter, and I think that threw them off balance a little bit," said Gleason. "We did a much better job in the second half of keeping them off the glass and reducing second chance points. We increased our urgency, and that resulted in a few more stops."
 
Humboldt State was led by its bench, which did outscore Seattle Pacific's substitutes, 24-18, in the game. Neika Puryear led the Jacks with 11 points as a part of that second unit. Fellow senior Amanda Kunst was the other Lumberjack to reach double digits, reaching 10 points on an efficient 3-4 shooting. Reigning California Collegiate Athletic Association Newcomer of the Year, A'Jaee Foster, collected eight rebounds and Kunst added seven boards of her own.
 
The Jacks will have a quick turnaround, as the West Region Classic commences on Saturday. HSU will again be the second game of the day, following Seattle Pacific and Fresno Pacific. The Jacks will take on Western Washington, who won handily in the tournament opener, 99-51. Tipoffs are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and will be played in Lumberjack Arena.