ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State women's basketball team pulled away down the stretch and closed out 2015 with a non-conference win over Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Western Oregon. The Lumberjacks (6-5, 3-1) climbed above the .500 mark for the first time this season after defeating Western Oregon (1-9, 0-2) on Saturday night, 65-56.

"I think we did a good job of regrouping and executing down the stretch," said Head Coach Joddie Gleason. "Western Oregon kept fighting to take that lead, but I like how we responded once they made that run. I thought our seniors, A'Jaee Foster, Amanda Kunst, and Neika Puryear, really stepped up and made some smart plays and free throws which allowed up to withstand that Western Oregon run."
 
After Western Oregon scored the game's first basket, the Green and Gold rattled off 10 consecutive points. Foster sparked the run with HSU's first five points. With under a minute to play in the first quarter, the Jacks built the lead up to double-digits, before ultimately ending the opening period ahead by eight, 14-6.
 
Humboldt State built the lead up to a game-high 16 points in the second quarter, as Neika Puryear's 3-pointer capped an 8-0 HSU run. The Jacks carried the 32-23 lead into the halftime intermission, with Nyaa Davis leading the way at the break with 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting.
 
A low scoring third quarter allowed the Wolves to cut their deficit to just six points heading into the final 10:00 session. An 11-0 WOU run in the middle of the fourth quarter gave the visitor's their first lead since the game's opening bucket. The Jacks provided an answer, and stopped the Western Oregon run with a pair of A'Jaee Foster free throws. HSU finished 20-for-23 from the line, its second-best mark this season.
 
After the two teams exchanged points in the paint, tying the game for the fourth and final time, Humboldt's 8-0 run put the gave the home team some breathing room with 1:18 remaining. Despite the lead dropping to just three points once more, the hit free throws and closed out the game with a 65-56 win.
 
Foster and Kunst posted identical 14 point, eight rebound, and two assist lines to lead the Green and Gold. Jessica Johnson also reached the double-figure mark with 10 points. The Jacks forced 14 turnovers on the night, including three from Johnson and a team season-high four steals from Puryear.
 
"For us, it's all about rest," said Gleason. "We have to go down to San Diego and San Bernardino, both really tough squads. I told the girls that they can't stay home and eat cookies for a week. They need to get out and make sure that they are ready to start conference, and I think they'll do it.
 
The Jacks are now off for the remainder of December before returning to California Collegiate Athletic Association competition to start the new year. The Green and Gold travel to CCAA oponents UC San Diego and Cal State San Bernardino on Jan. 1 and 2, respectively.