ARCATA, Calif. – Four of the Humboldt State men's basketball starting five scored in double figures as the Green and Gold defeated Cal State East Bay 68-62 Friday in Lumberjack Arena.
 
"It was a defensive war tonight," said Head Coach Steve Kinder. "I thought we stepped up and were very physical, even though our roster isn't as tall as theirs. We certainly competed and got the job done."
 
Despite one of the team's worst 3-point shooting performances of the season, the Lumberjacks (8-4, 3-3 CCAA) proved they could play a complete ball game and take advantage of free throw opportunities.
 
HSU and Cal State East Bay traded baskets in the low-scoring first half, but the Pioneers led by one, 29-28, at the half. Calvin Young II contributed 10 first half points for the home team.
 
The Jacks quickly evened the score out of the break, but a 10-0 run capped by a Jalen Richard 3-pointer with 9:03 left to play gave the Pioneers an 8-0 advantage.
 
Trailing 49-41 with less than 10 minutes to play, Malik Morgan single-handedly went to work erasing the deficit. Morgan sank a jumper and knocked down a trey in less than a minute to pull the Green and Gold within three, 49-46.
 
A Morgan 3-pointer with 2:37 left on the clock gave the Jacks their first lead in nearly 10 minutes, but the result was far from settled.
 
Costly fouls down the home stretch allowed the Pioneers to keep within a basket. A layup from Nikhil Lizotte following a half-court pass from Morgan punctuated the HSU victory with 13 seconds left on the clock.
 
Morgan led the Jacks with 19 points, while Young (16), Tyras Rattler Jr. (12) and Lizotte (11) joined him in double digits. Rattler had a team-high 10 rebounds and eight assists, and the Oakland, Calif., native recorded his second double-double of the season.
 
Micah Dunhours led the Pioneers with 22 points on 9-of-22 shooting.
 
HSU hosts Cal State Monterey Bay Saturday night in Lumberjack Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and all Boy Scouts that wear their uniform receive free admission.
 
"Playing 24 hours after a win isn't really much of a factor," said Kinder. "I expect our team will have high energy and will be very excited to play Cal State Monterey Bay."