SAN FRANCISCO – Down both early and late in the Friday night's game, the Humboldt State women's basketball team found a way to come from behind and earn the win. The Lumberjacks (10-11, 7-7) came back from an eight-point deficit to beat San Francisco State (5-15, 3-11), 61-57.
 
"It was a great college basketball atmosphere," said Head Coach Joddie Gleason. "It was the loudest place we've played at on the road this year, and I think our team kept their composure and made plays."
 
Despite being tied at 7-7 with three minutes to play in the opening quarter, the Green and Gold failed to score again in the period and allowed the Gators to close on an 8-0 run to lead, 15-7.
 
The Jacks came out firing in the second quarter to chip away the deficit. HSU pieced together a 9-2 run to open the period, capped by a Kiana Brown made 3-pointer, to pull within one. HSU took the lead back just before halftime with another Brown shot from long range, putting Humboldt ahead 24-23. Brown hit her third three of the quarter with 20 seconds remaining, but a San Francisco State tip-in at the buzzer tied things up at the half, 27-27.
 
Each team held as high as a four-point lead in the third period, but neither side was able to break it open. HSU did keep the one-point advantage, 44-43, going into the final quarter. The game featured 12 ties and 11 lead changes.
 
With the home Gators ahead by three with under a minute to play, HSU turned to Amanda Kunst to tie things up. The senior, who has hit several big shots in late moments this season, did exactly that once again on Friday night. Kunst received a top-of-the-arc pass from Teylor McMiller and calmly drained the game-tying three with 0:58 remaining in the game. HSU forced a turnover and capitalized on the other end with a Neika Puryear layup to give the lead to the Jacks, 59-57. San Francisco missed their attempt to tie the game and was forced to foul in the game's final moments. Freshman Sophie Northern calmly knocked down the pair of free throws to ice the game and give Humboldt State the win, 61-57
 
The Green and Gold shot a season-best 63.6 percent (7-11) from long distance in the win.
 
"It was nice to be on the positive end as far as shooting goes," said Gleason. "They went to a zone in the second quarter and we were able to cut down our turnovers and score the ball."
 
Four Lumberjacks finished with double-digit points, led by Kunst's 14. A'Jaee foster scored 13, while Brown and Puryear added 10 points apiece. McMiller grabbed eight rebounds and swatted three shots, to go along with her six points.
 
The Jacks return to the court on Saturday at Sonoma State. Start time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.