CARSON, Calif. – Conference unbeaten Cal State Dominguez Hills jumped out to an early 7-0 advantage and kept the lead wire-to-wire.
Humboldt State (7-9, 4-5) did cut the 18-point deficit to just six in the fourth, but could not top Dominguez Hills (10-6, 8-0) on the road, falling 75-61.
"The first quarter we just beat ourselves," said Head Coach
Joddie Gleason. "We missed a few passes into the post, put them at the free throw line, didn't make our free throws, and had turnovers. Those all add up."
Trailing 24-11 after the opening period, HSU used a 9-3 run early in the second quarter to bring the game back to 10 points at 30-20. HSU cut the deficit to single digits, 35-26, after
Jessica Johnson drained a three with 2:44 remaining in the opening half, but the Toros were able to rebuild 13-point edge, and went into halftime ahead, 40-27.
After matching its game-high deficit of 16 points with 3:04 remaining in the third, the Green and Gold responded with an 8-0 run of its own to make it 53-45 game with under a minute remaining in the quarter. The Toros stopped the run with a final layup in the third, making it a 10-point game heading into the final period.
The Jacks cut it to six points three times in the fourth period, but were unable to get any closer, and fell 75-61.
"I thought our kids battled," said Gleason. "It was just unfortunate that we got into that situation. We have to start stronger and not put ourselves in that hole."
Amanda Kunst finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, both tied game highs.
Humboldt State attempted a season-high 35 free throws in the game, but shot a season-low 54.3 percent (19-for-35) from the line.
Dominguez Hill's 41.2 percent (7-for-17) shooting from long range is the second-best this year by an opponent, and its 13 steals are the most against the Jacks.
The Jacks return to the hardwood on Saturday night for their second matchup of the season with Cal State Los Angeles. HSU goes for the season split with the Golden Eagles, with tip off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
