ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State men's basketball team rang in the new year with thunderous dunks and another thrilling result, a 69-64 win over Cal State Los Angeles Sunday in Lumberjack Arena.

HSU posted its second consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association victory and improved to 5-9 overall and 2-6 in conference play.

A Justin Everett jumper with 55 seconds left in the first half gave the home team a four-point advantage, 34-30, and HSU held on for a 34-33 lead at intermission. Everett had 10 points in 13 minutes of action and led all Green and Gold scorers.

"We kept them off-balance with really good communication on our part defensively throughout the 40 minutes," said HSU Head Coach Steve Kinder. "I think that was the key to their poor shooting. Coupled with that, the reality is that they're coming in off Christmas break and they had to travel to Chico and then to Humboldt, a long trip for them."

The Golden Eagles moved in front midway through the second half behind a strong effort from Elliott Smith. Smith finished the half with eight points and a team-high six rebounds.

Calvin Young II sank a layup to even the game at 51-51 with 8:21 to play and his basket started a 9-0 run, which gave HSU breathing room. The Jacks traded dunks with the Golden Eagles, including back-to-back slams courtesy of Davasyia Hagger. The home team kept LA off the scoreboard for the final 3 minutes to seal the victory.

"When a guy like Davasyia, kind of our heart and soul and a man-child inside, gets a dunk in front of Lumberjack Arena, that creates great energy and it's very deflating for a Los Angeles team," said Kinder.

Four Jacks reached double-digit scoring totals versus LA, including Romario Wilson who chipped in 12 off the bench and provided a much-needed spark.

"He's a spark plug off the bench," said Kinder. "He brings us energy from his physicality and what he can do with or without the basketball on defense and on offense. He's also quite a character, quite a personality, one of the team favorites. I don't think there are too many people on the planet who don't appreciate his ability to bring a smile to the locker room every day."

Kameron Curl led HSU scorers with 17 points, and Everett and Hagger both added 14 points. Hagger finished with a team-high eight rebounds, and the Jacks outrebounded the Golden Eagles 44-39.

The Jacks embark on a SoCal road trip with games against UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos on next week's docket. HSU faces the Tritons Friday at 7:30 p.m.

"We'll have to take care of business against a very structured, championship-caliber UC San Diego team," said Kinder. "It'll be completely contrasting from tonight's game as far as the style of play and the roster and personnel that they have."