GAMEDAY CENTRAL
Thursday vs. UC San Diego
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE RADIO
Saturday vs. Cal Poly Pomona
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE RADIO
LUMBERJACK SOCIAL MEDIA
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

ARCATA, Calif. -- The Lumberjacks have already punched their ticket to the postseason, but they still face one of their toughest challenges as they close out the regular season schedule. Humboldt State men's basketball hosts UC San Diego and Cal Poly Pomona in Lumberjack Arena this weekend.
 
The Tritons visit Thursday and Cal Poly Pomona closes out the regular season on Senior Day Saturday. Both games tip off at 7:30 p.m.
 
"We have a tough task this weekend with two excellent basketball teams coming to Lumberjack Arena," said Head Coach Steve Kinder. "The bottom line, just like last weekend, is to see if we cant get better as a basketball team before the tournament starts. We want to be peaking next Thursday night when we are in Stockton. So win or lose this weekend, we need to keep our focus on getting better."
 
HSU completed its first CCAA road sweep of the season over the weekend with wins versus Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State East Bay. Rakim Brown scored a career-best 26 points in Saturday's 88-74 win over the Otters, and he became the fourth HSU player to earn CCAA Player of the Week honors Tuesday. He averaged 20 points per game during the road trip.
 
Saturday's 81-57 win over Cal State East Bay marked the first time since 2010 that HSU won a game in Hayward, Calif.  The Green and Gold stole the show on the Pioneers' Senior Night, and five players scored in double figures. Freshman Justin Everett logged 13 minutes, scored 11 points and came up with five rebounds in the win.
 
"Our main goal last weekend was to go down there and continue to play at a high level," said Head Coach Steve Kinder. "We wanted to play with intensity on the road and come away with a road sweep. And we did just that. Out other goal was to get better as a team and take another step up. We executed at a high level offensively and got tougher defensively."
 
The Jacks are tied with the Tritons for third in the CCAA rankings, but a matchup Thursday will clear up any confusion. UC San Diego has won three-straight games, including a four-point game on the road at Sonoma State.
 
HSU topped UC San Diego in their last meeting, following a double-overtime loss to Cal Poly Pomona. Six players scored 10 or more points in the Jacks' 83-73 road win over the Tritons. Austin Bryan and David Howard led the way for the Green and Gold with 16 points apiece.
 
"As far as beating UC San Diego on the road, that was unique," said Kinder. "We were coming off a double-overtime, emotional loss and got behind early. But we played good basketball halfway through the first half and just flat out beat the Tritons in that game. I really liked the way we played."
 
Prior to Saturday's game against the Broncos, HSU will recognize the accomplishments of its senior class. Howard, Bryan, Allan Guei, Brett McConnell and Dylan Ingersoll will be honored before their final game in Lumberjack Arena.
 
"It is a sentimental evening for sure knowing that it is their last game here in front of the home crowd," said Kinder. "And these student athletes choose Humboldt State primarily because of our home crowd. That really separates us from the rest of the conference. These student-athletes have represented our university and fans over their careers. They have been loyal for so many years and so many practices. They have gone through great times and tough times. It will be an emotional evening, but we need to wash our hands of that as soon as the ceremony is over and play some basketball."
 
Cal Poly Pomona came away with an 81-79 victory in its last meeting with HSU. Bryan scored a team-high 28 points in the loss and Guei chipped in 23. The Broncos opened the second overtime period on a 4-0 run and closed out the win.