ARCATA, Calif. – Nikhil Lizotte has sparked the Lumberjack offense this season with his long-range shooting, but Saturday night's performance jolted the Green and Gold faithful into a frenzy. Lizotte's career night helped lead Humboldt State men's basketball past Cal State San Marcos 89-78 en route to its first conference win of the season.
The Jacks improved to 6-1 overall and extended their winning streak to six straight with Saturday's result.
"We did an excellent job tonight staying focused on the offensive end, hitting open shots, sharing the basketball and making winning plays," said Head Coach
Steve Kinder. "Defensively we made strides as a team. We are beginning to understand the value of getting stops, utilizing a defensive rebound or a steal and converting in transition on offense. We have momentum, the players and coaches are working hard and looking forward to our Southern California trip next week."
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field and the lead changed hands 12 times in the first 20 minutes of action.
Tyras Rattler Jr.'s 10-point first-half scoring effort helped the Green and Gold take a 47-41 lead into halftime.
San Marcos scored the first eight points of the second half, erased HSU's lead and took a five-point advantage at the 10:17 mark.
Lizotte electrified the Jacks' sputtering offense with a flurry of long-distance baskets. He powered an 18-1 run with three 3-pointers, and the offensive surge helped the home team take a 74-62 lead with 5 minutes to play.
HSU held off a comeback attempt that saw San Marcos pull within six points in the closing minutes.
Lizotte finished the game with a career-high 25 points and a career-best six made 3-point field goals. He was 7-of-10 shooting, 6-of-9 from outside the arc and 4-for-4 at the free-throw line.
Malik Morgan (16) and Rattler (12) joined Lizotte with double-digit scoring totals.
Calvin Young II put together another dominating performance off the bench with eight points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
The Green and Gold travel to face Cal State Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m.
