SEASIDE, Calif. ­-- Despite a slow start, the Humboldt State women's basketball team picked up a road win, 80-56, over Cal State Monterey Bay Friday in the Kelp Bed. With Dominguez Hills' 68-60 loss to UC San Diego Friday, HSU takes sole possession of first place in the CCAA.
 
The win improves the Lumberjacks' record to 21-3 overall and 17-2 in California Collegiate Athletic Association action.
 
"Cal State Monterey Bay did a great job of coming out strong and knocking down a bunch of shots to open the game," said Head Coach Joddie Gleason. "I was happy with the way we kept our composure, battled back and took the lead going into halftime."
 
HSU trailed by seven, 18-11, with 13:43 left to play in the first half after an Alexa Sperling layup. But the Green and Gold went on a 21-4 run over the next nine minutes to take a commanding 32-22 lead. Neika Puryear contributed seven of HSU's 21 points during the rally and finished the game with 15 points.
 
"Neika is a great playmaker and scorer," said Gleason. "She did a nice job of breaking down their zone, getting into the paint and drawing attention. She was able to find our scorers and score herself.  Neika was a key to getting us going offensively."
 
The Jacks took their advantage into the locker room and led by 10, 41-31, at the break.
 
A'jaee Foster opened the second half with a layup, and the Green and Gold held on to their lead for the remainder of the game. Foster notched a double-double in the win and scored 12 points to go with 10 boards. She was 6-for-10 shooting and dished out three assists.
 
Megan Shields fell one point short of a double-double versus the Otters, but came up with 10 rebounds, nine points and two blocks.
 
Two more Jacks finished with 10 or more points ­– Kersey Wilcox matched Puryer's output with 15 and Jae Shin had 12. Shin was 4-for-7 shooting and all four shots came from 3-point territory.
 
Jenna Bandy, the Otter's leading scorer entering Friday's game, was shut down by the defensive efforts of Danielle Gaumer and was held to four points. Bandy was 1-for-11 (nine percent) shooting and compiled three rebounds, three steals and three assists.
 
The Jacks shot 55.4 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc. HSU also outrebounded Cal State Monterey Bay by 10, 39-29.
 
HSU visits Hayward, Calif., Saturday for a meeting with Cal State East Bay. The Pioneers are coming off a 74-66 win over Cal State San Bernardino, and they are winners of four of their last five games. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
"Cal State East Bay is a really tough team that is trying to get into the CCAA Tournament," said Gleason. "We expect a battle tomorrow and we haven't had a lot of success there over the years. It will be a great game tomorrow."