HSU vs. UC SAN DIEGO
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HSU vs. CAL POLY POMONA
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ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State women's basketball team has had two weeks to put its loss to Chico State in the rearview and make adjustments to end the 2018 calendar year with a bang. The Lumberjacks travel to face UC San Diego Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and then visits Cal Poly Pomona Monday at 2 p.m.

HSU is 6-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The Jacks dropped its last game 62-61 to Chico State, a loss which snapped a three-game winning streak. Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson believes her squad is ready to return to the win column this weekend.

"We have a great opportunity in front of us this weekend with two CCAA games," said Bento-Jackson. "It has been important for us to have quality and productive practices as we returned from the break. We must be laser-focused on the execution of our defensive game plan and play with a high level of intensity for 40 minutes."

UC San Diego is off to a 9-0 start and is ranked 10th in the nation. The Tritons know they can't overlook the Green and Gold as they suffered a 76-75 loss behind a game-winning basket from Jacks junior Jovanah Arrington in the conference tournament. San Diego has won 15 consecutive regular season games against CCAA opponents and is one of just 11 undefeated programs in the country so far this season.

"San Diego is a well-disciplined basketball team that is very efficient in running its offense," said Bento-Jackson. "They have good balance in their scoring with both inside and outside threats and are typically a low-turnover team. We must make it a priority to attempt to take them out of their comfort zone and pay great attention to detail."

The Broncos are 7-2 overall, but they are coming off a 70-68 setback at Cal State San Marcos before the break. Jordyn Shane and Rebecca Islas are Pomona's leading scorers averaging 16.8 and 16.1 points per game, respectively. HSU took two of three meetings with Monday's opponent last season, including a 69-53 win in the CCAA Tournament hosted by Pomona.

In order for the Green and Gold to match her expectations, Bento-Jackson knows the focus will be on playing consistent, gritty defense versus this weekend's talented conference opponents.

"With us, everything starts with our defense," said Bento-Jackson. "We must have a knowledge and a clear understanding of exactly what it is that we are trying to do with our defensive plan.  Offensively, we want to play our style of basketball and stick to what we do. Execution on both ends of the floor is critical to put us in a position to have success against two tough opponents."