SAN FRANCISCO – Humboldt State men's basketball was unable to find an answer to No. 21-ranked San Francisco State's hot shooting performance in Sunday's, 83-73, road loss.
The loss moves the Lumberjacks to 7-4 overall and 2-3 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play. The Gators improved to 11-0 and 4-0 in conference action.
"The Gators are a very good basketball team, and they are 11-0 for a reason," said Head Coach
Steve Kinder. "They are deep, athletic and know how to play together and sustain 40 minutes."
SF State led by as many as 16 points in the first half and shot a blistering 51.7 percent from the field, but HSU didn't give in to its nationally-ranked opponent.
Calvin Young II had a pair of dunks to cap an 18-8 run for the Jacks as they went to the locker room trailing 42-36. Young,
Malik Morgan,
Tyras Rattler Jr. and
Nikhil Lizotte had six points apiece at the half.
HSU took 19 shots from outside the arc in the first 20 minutes, one shy of the first half total in its win over Stanislaus State.
Two 3-pointers in the first minute of the second half pulled the Jacks within two points of the Gators, but the home team quickly responded. SF State pulled away with a 25-4 run, which ended with a Warren Jackson trey and the Gators up 69-46 with 11:30 left to play.
Despite scoring 13 of the game's final 15 points, HSU was unable to overcome SF State.
Four HSU players scored in double figures, and Morgan and Rattler led the way with 13 points apiece.
Tyler Green and Lizotte each chipped in 11 points.
Coley Apsay was the Gators' top performer and finished with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. Apsay was 6-for-11 shooting and connected on four 3-pointers.
The Green and Gold host Cal State East Bay on Friday, Dec. 30 in Lumberjack Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
"I challenged the team to work hard and outwork our opponents over the break," said Kinder. "We need to start winning on the road if we are going to accomplish our goals, and we won't have that chance until after our next two home games."
