ARCATA, Calif. – Amanda Kunst scored a career-high 30 points as Humboldt State women's basketball's comeback effort was thwarted by Cal State Los Angeles. In Saturday's California Collegiate Athletic Association home opener, the Lumberjacks (3-4, 1-1) fell to the Golden Eagles (3-5, 1-1), 88-74.
 
"We didn't have consistent contribution offensively and our poor offense led to easy transition defense," said Head Coach Joddie Gleason. "We have to find a way to score in the paint. Our percentages just aren't there inside."
 
The Jacks started the game in a quick 6-0 hole, but jumped on the board with a Kelci Haueter jumper two and a half minutes into the game. It wasn't until Amanda Kunst hit her first of a career-high six threes that the Green and Gold was able to take the lead. The 12-10 advantage at 4:53 left in the opening period was the only time that HSU was ahead in the entire ball game.
 
As the game began to grow to double figures, the Jacks cut the deficit down to just six heading into intermission thanks to a defensive stop and a drawn foul. Sumayyah Wiggins buried her pair of free throws and the one-time 13-point deficit was again single digits heading into the locker room. The Green and Gold shot 24-for-26 from the free throw line during the game, a stark contrast to the team's 32.3-percent from the field.
 
After HSU opened the third period with consecutive baskets and making it a two-point game, the Golden Eagles went on a 23-7 run to close out the quarter. The 19-point difference was the largest of the game.
 
The Jacks applied pressure in the game's final quarter, but could not cut the lead back to single digits. The Golden Eagles had four starters in double-figures, including Chiara DiMarco's team-high 29 points and Rikke Fabricius' 20.
 
Kunst had a career-night, which helped the Jacks keep the game as close as it was. The McKinleyville, Calif., native entered the game averaging 13.9 ppg and nearly reached that mark by the end of the opening period. Kunst had 11 points after a quarter, reached a career-high 19 by halftime, and finished the game with a solid 30 points and seven rebounds.
 
The last Lumberjack to score 30 or more points was Lisa Petty, who accomplished the feat twice during the 2012-13 season.
 
"This has been a tough last three week," said Gleason. "We've been on the road fourteen days out of seventeen. The girls are handling it, but we can't make excuses and we have to continue to get better.

The Jacks will continue CCAA competition at home next week as well. Humboldt welcomes Sonoma State and San Francisco State to campus on back-to-back nights. Both the game on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 will begin at 5:30 p.m.