TURLOCK, Calif. – It was a tale of two halves Saturday night in Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena. Humboldt State men's basketball got off to a slow start, but a big second half propelled the Lumberjacks to a 78-58 win over Stanislaus State.
 
The Green and Gold split the weekend road trip and improved to 7-3 overall and 2-2 in conference with Saturday's victory. Stanislaus State falls to 3-6 and 1-2 in California Collegiate Athletic Association action.
 
"I am really proud of our guys," said Head Coach Steve Kinder. "It was a big-time effort after taking one on the chops last night. We came out and competed in both halves tonight. Our shots just weren't falling at a high rate in the first half. It was a top-to-bottom effort from our roster which was exciting to see."
 
The Warriors had the early advantage, and they led by a game-high nine points with six minutes to go in the first half. Vondel Faniel led Stanislaus State's scoring effort with 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting.
 
HSU trailed 34-31 heading into the locker room. The Jacks were outrebounded 21-13 in the first 20 minutes and were 7-of-20 from outside the arc. Colin Caslick connected on three 3-pointers and contributed nine first half points.
 
A 13-0 run to start the half gave the Jacks a 44-34 advantage, and it provided the spark HSU's perimeter shooters needed. The North Coast squad sank nine 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes and shot 52.9 percent from outside the arc.
 
Malik Morgan drained a 3-pointer with 9:53 left to play to put HSU up by 21 points and give them their largest lead of the night.
 
Five Jacks scored in double figures, and Lizotte led the way with 17 points. Morgan (14), Caslick (14), Jeryn Lucas (11) and Tyras Rattler Jr. (10) each scored 10 or more points against the Warriors.
 
"When everybody contributes or several players score in double figures it is very powerful for the bench, the locker room and the program," said Kinder. "It was a big plus and something we can carry into next week."
 
Kaelen Mitchell was Stanislaus State's top scorer with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Mitchell was responsible for three of the Warriors' six 3-point baskets.
 
HSU breaks for finals week and returns to action Saturday, Dec. 17, at San Francisco State. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.