ARCATA, Calif. – Despite displaying some excellent marksmanship from long range against a tough opponent, the Humboldt State men's basketball team fell on Thursday night to their foes from Cal Poly Pomona, 73-70. The result came in a game that was tightly contested throughout, with neither team gaining more than six points of separation at any point.

The loss makes the Jacks 6-11 on the year, 3-8 in CCAA conference play, while the Broncos' record now stands at 12-2 (9-1 CCAA). The Jacks entered the game winners of three of their last four contests.

"We're extremely proud of our effort, our hustle, and our determination tonight," said Lumberjack Head Coach Steve Kinder. "I thought we showed poise and confidence and gave ourselves opportunities to win the game. We matched a very good Cal Poly Pomona team in multiple categories, with rebounding and three-point makes identical, turnovers virtually identical and assists identical. It was a great game to watch if you were a basketball purist."

The visitors scored the first six points of the game and managed to maintain slim margins for the majority of the first half until HSU gained a 22-19 lead at the 2:55 mark off a Jalen Terry trey. Pomona led 25-24 at the conclusion of the half.

Early in the second half, the Jacks took a 37-33 lead on two Justin Everett free throws, but saw the Broncos extend a five-point lead at the 9:33 mark, 56-51. Two more Everett free throws gave the Jacks their final lead at 68-66, but it was a William Christmas dagger three that put the Broncos up 71-68 with just 42 seconds left.

Davasyia Hagger hit a bucket inside with eight seconds remaining, but Pomona closed out the scoring with two free throws with five seconds left and prevailed.

Kameron Curl led the Jacks with a game-high 29 points and nine made threes, as the Jacks as a team connected on 45.5 percent from long range (15-of-33). Jack Kaub chipped in 11 points, and Everett and Hagger both contributed 10.

"It's halfway through the season, and we're playing the best basketball we've played all year," said Kinder. "Even with this loss, we can look at each other in the locker room and nod our heads and know that we're playing our best basketball. So it's a good feeling in the locker room as far as where we are and where we're headed."

The Jacks now must prepare for the arrival of Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday night in Lumberjack Arena with a 7:30 tip off.