SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Junior Alexia Thrower hoped to celebrate her birthday with a Lumberjack victory, but she settled for a career night as Humboldt State dropped Thursday's road game 71-69 to Cal State San Marcos.

Thrower led all scorers with 23 points and added a team-leading 15 rebounds, both career bests, in the loss. The Green and Gold move to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

In a game that featured 10 lead changes and five ties, the Cougars' conference home opener wasn't settled until the final minute of action. San Marcos led for 14:42 in the second half and looked to have the game firmly in the win column leading 67-62 with 32 seconds remaining. The teams traded fouls, and HSU evened the score at 69 with nine seconds on the clock following a pair of Madeline Hatch free throws. In the ensuing Cougar possession, Gabrielle Carbajal was called for a blocking foul and San Marcos sank a pair of free throws to move ahead for good.

"I am most disappointed that we did not execute the scout tonight," said HSU Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "In order to win games we collectively must learn to take every detail seriously and we must take individuals and teams out of their comfort zone. We didn't do that tonight."

HSU had a 35-33 lead at intermission behind 18 points and nine boards from Thrower. San Marcos used a 7-0 burst midway through the third quarter to lead by three points 49-46 with 10 minutes to go, and the visitors ended the game outscoring the Cougars 23-22 in the final frame.

The Green and Gold outrebounded San Marcos 37-35 and shot 50 percent from outside the arc. Isamar Conde finished with 22 points and was a perfect 3-for-3 from long distance, and Jovanah Arrington joined her in double digits with 10 points. Tyra Turner dished out a team-high six assists to go with nine points.

The Jacks return to action Saturday at Cal State San Bernardino. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.