SEASIDE, Calif. – Making themselves most unwelcome guests in the Kelp Bed, Humboldt State's women's basketball team shook off a lethargic second quarter and pulled away in the second half, beating the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters 64-40 Thursday night.

The win pushes HSU's record to 3-5 (2-1 CCAA) and drops Monterey Bay to 3-5 (2-2 CCAA).

The Lumberjacks relied on a defense that generated 28 points off 29 Otter turnovers, Tyla Turner leading the Jacks with five steals. HSU's stingy defense allowed just six first-quarter points from the hosts, as the visitors took a 16-6 lead after one. The Jacks found it tough offensive sledding themselves in the second period, though, as they were limited to six points and the Otters clawed back to within six at 22-16 heading into the half.

The Jacks pounded the offensive boards in the game notching 18 to the Otters' eight, and outscoring the Otters 18-8 in the third quarter to take a more authoritative lead. Both teams opened it up somewhat in the fourth, HSU outscored Monterey Bay 24-16 en route to the 64-40 final. A Riann Thayer three off an assist from Turner provided the exclamation mark with 13 seconds left to give the Jacks their largest margin of the night.

"I am proud of the team for how we executed our defense tonight," said Lumberjack Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "There were certain things that were key for us to do on the defensive end and for the majority of the game I thought we did them well."

Turner led the Jacks in scoring with 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the floor (2-of-3 from three-point range), also grabbing seven rebounds to go with her five steals. Kindall Murie chipped in 11 with three treys, while Isamar Conde had a near double-double with 10 points and eight boards.

Bento-Jackson found ways the Jacks could improve even given the lopsided victory, saying, "I didn't like us offensively in particular in the first half with regards to our shot selection and overall we had too many sloppy turnovers [the Jacks tallied 20 on the game]. We must take better care of the ball."

HSU will have its next chance Saturday night against Cal Poly Pomona in another CCAA road affair, with tip scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The Broncos host Chico State Friday night and currently stand at 3-3 (0-1 CCAA).