ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State women's basketball team has a different look than last year's California Collegiate Athletic Association Champions. Eight seniors, five of whom started double-digit games, have moved on from the program, and this year's team is finding ways to fill the holes.
 
"We could easily be 4-2, so there is no reason to hit the panic button right now," said Head Coach Joddie Gleason. "We hit two baskets and we are 4-2. It's a long season, and we're getting betting every game and every day."
 
Three Jacks, Kiana Brown (13.2), Amanda Kunst (12.7), and Neika Puryear (10.0), are averaging double-figure points through the team's first six games. The 2-4 record during the opening stretch is a bit deceiving. HSU has already matched up against three of the region's most dangerous teams as part of a schedule that Gleason described as "The toughest schedule we have ever had."
 
The hope is that the rigors of the nonconference will prepare Humboldt for a long and grueling 20-game CCAA schedule. The answer will begin to have clarity this week, as the Jacks travel south to face Cal State San Marcos (1-2, 0-1) on Thursday and then quickly turn around to host Cal State Los Angeles (2-3, 0-0) on Saturday. Thursday's game will be played at Mira Costa Junior College and tip at 6 p.m., and Saturday's game at Lumberjack Arena will have a normal start time for a home doubleheader of 5:30 p.m.
 
The Cougars average a conference-best 8.0 three-pointers made per game, but are allowing an average of 60.3 points, second-worst in the CCAA. After opening the season with a conference loss at UC San Diego and a loss at Division I UNLV, San Marcos shot an even 50% (25-for-50) in a 17-point victory over San Diego Christian.
 
Cal State Los Angeles will play a midweek conference game at Cal Poly Pomona on Wednesday, before taking on HSU on Saturday at Lumberjack Arena. The Golden Eagles are holding opponents to a mere 35.3% from the field, second best in the CCAA. Los Angeles also ranks second in the conference with an efficient 37.3% shooting from long range, grabbing 29.2 defensive rebounds per game, and collecting 11.0 steals per contest.
 
Thursday's game will be the final game of a season-long five-match road swing for the Jacks. The Green and Gold earned its first away win on Saturday at Holy Names. The conference's top offensive rebounding team at 16.8 per contest, also ranks second from the charity stripe with 15.3 made and 21.5 attempted free throws per game.
 
"Usually we go on the road and play two games, but this will be a quick trip down and back," said Gleason. "We have to handle it the best we can, and focus on the rest in between games."

Individually, Kunst has scored in double-figures in all five games this year, including a double-double performance last week with 14 points and 13 rebounds at Dominican. Brown is theC CAA leader in free throw percentage at 93.3%. The sophomore transfer is also fifth in the conference and top-30 in Division II in three-point percentage at 51.5%, and is third in the CCAA with 17 made threes. Puryear is third in the CCAA in free throw percentage at 87.5%, seventh in total steals at 11, and ninth in total assists at 17. A'Jaee Foster is eighth in the conference in offensive rebounds (17) and ninth in the conference in total rebounds (41).
 
All home games will be streamed for video online at no cost, which will be accompanied by live statistics.