ARCATA, Calif. – Chico State dealt the Humboldt State men's basketball team its first home loss of the season, 86-68, and snapped the Lumberjacks 21-game home winning streak.
 
"The Wildcats came into our place and showed that they were physically and mentally tough," said Head Coach Steve Kinder. "They are well-coached and they played us correctly. Every time a shot went up we were late to get to the basketball."
 
The Jacks slipped to 11-2 overall and 5-2 versus California Collegiate Athletic Association play. The Wildcats improved to 12-2 overall and 6-1 in conference action.
 
Chico State jumped out to a 7-0 lead and controlled the tempo for much of the first half.
 
HSU made a run late in the half and evened the scored at 37-37 behind a 3-pointer from freshman Tyras Rattler with 5:29 until the break. Rattler finished the game with a team-high 13 points and was 5-of-11 from the field.
 
Freshman Nikhil Lizotte gave HSU its only lead of the game at the 4:23 mark. He sank his only 3-point basket to give the Jacks a 40-39 edge. The Green and Gold led for just over a minute.
 
Chico State regained its lead and closed out the half on a 5-0 run and carried a six-point, 48-42, advantage into the locker room.
 
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, but it was the rebounding battle that made the difference. Chico State outrebounded HSU 24-7, and the Wildcats totaled 17 second-chance points.
 
The Jacks trailed for the entire second half, despite shooting 44 percent.
 
Chico State's Robert Duncan led all scorers with 22 points. He was 4-of-5 from outside the arc and connected on 9-of-13 shots from the field.
 
The Wildcats won the rebounding battle 45-21 and swiped 11 steals.
 
"As a team we need to rebound better," said senior Thomas Witzel. "Tonight we just didn't rebound, and that isn't acceptable. It is one reason why, when you look at the score sheet, we lost tonight."
 
HSU returns to action Saturday, Jan. 9 versus Stanislaus State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.