LOS ANGELES – Sophomore Malik Morgan flirted with a triple-double as Humboldt State men's basketball defeated Cal State Los Angeles 70-60 Saturday.
 
The come-from-behind victory saved the Lumberjacks from a road sweep and improved their overall record to 13-3 and 7-3 in conference. Los Angeles stumbled following last night's 47-45 win over Cal Poly Pomona and fell to 3-13 and 2-7 in California Collegiate Athletic Association action.
 
HSU never led in the first half and looked as if the absence of leading scorer and rebounder Rakim Brown would be too much to overcome.
 
"We knew tonight needed to be a complete team game," said Head Coach Steve Kinder. "Guys who don't normally get a lot of playing time came in and played hard. Our guard play was aggressive and we took shots when we needed to."
 
The Golden Eagles held a four-point, 34-30, advantage at the half.
 
Three 3-point baskets in the first three minutes of the second half helped the Green and Gold steal the momentum and take a five-point edge, 44-39, with 17:02 on the clock. Thomas Witzel knocked down a pair of treys in less than a minute to fuel the HSU rally.
 
The Jacks continued to build their lead and were aided by a cold streak for the Golden Eagles' shooters. Los Angeles shot 38.5 percent after the break and 25 percent from outside the arc.
 
Morgan scored 13 of his season-high 22 points in the second half and finished with eight rebounds and eight assists. He was 6-of-9 from the field and was 9-for-9 at the charity stripe.
 
"Malik let the game come to him naturally," said Kinder. "He just went out there and played basketball. When he can do that, good things will come for him and the team."
 
HSU won the rebounding battle against Los Angeles, 41-32. The rebounding total marked the first time the Jacks have outrebounded an opponent since their Jan. 2 victory over Cal State San Bernardino.
 
Sophomore Justin Everett made his first start of the year and contributed 10 points and five rebounds.
 
The Green and Gold return to the North Coast before visiting Southern California for the second consecutive weekend. HSU faces Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m.