ARCATA, Calif. – Tyla Turner's 26 points, five rebounds, and three assists weren't enough for the Humboldt State women's basketball team on Saturday night, as they lost to the visiting Chico State Wildcats 70-58 in Lumberjack Arena.

The Wildcats outscored the Lumberjacks in each quarter as they found the necessary offensive firepower, shooting 53.5 percent from the field and 58.8 percent from three in the game. The contest was streamed live on ESPN3.

The Jacks closed within 51-47 with 6:21 to go in the game, but saw Chico increase its lead after that.

"Obviously, it was a tremendous basketball environment," said Lumberjack Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "We're very thankful not only for ESPN3 and for our conference picking this game, but all the fans and the community that came out to support our team. It's unfortunate that we couldn't give them the W, but it was a tremendous environment, and that's what Humboldt State is about."

Bento-Jackson said she thought Chico had too many open, uncontested looks and its shooters weren't forced to stray from their comfort zone shooting the basketball. Whitney Branham was especially successful for Chico, shooting 7-for-10 from three en route to 31 points.

Of her own star, Bento-Jackson said Turner was "phenomenal. She tried to do what Branham did, which was put the team on her back and the problem is that she needs help. Tonight we didn't get a whole lot of help from other people. We shot poorly from the perimeter." (Humboldt was 36.5 percent on field goals and 23.1 from three for the game) Bento-Jackson complemented Turner's energy and intensity throughout the game.  

Regarding the atmosphere in this high-profile game, Turner said, "It felt really good, especially with this group of girls that I have. They're awesome, and I wouldn't want to be with anybody else on that stage, especially with my twin (Tyra Turner). I felt very grateful."

"It was difficult because sometimes we didn't communicate the way we should've [on defense]," said Turner. "And when we don't communicate, that's when we break down."

The team will be playing on back-to-back nights in Oregon Monday and Tuesday, taking on Concordia and then Western Oregon, both games will start at 6 p.m.

"This stings, this hurts, and I thought we let an opportunity slip away from us," said Bento-Jackson. "But we don't have time to sit here and sulk. We have to regroup, we have a long drive to get our thoughts together about what we did not do tonight, and then we have to be ready to go Monday against Concordia."