ARCATA, Calif. – Newcomer Jamarlin Jackson scored a team-high 20 points and 17 Lumberjacks saw action as the Humboldt State men's basketball team soundly defeated Portland Bible College, 97-39, Sunday afternoon.

The home team traded baskets with the visitors in the opening minute, but the Green and Gold quickly pulled away. Hunter Johnson scored a layup less than two minutes into the game which opened a 23-0 run for the North Coast squad, and Johnson had a team-leading seven points during the stretch.

"I thought our guys have learned from other non-conference games to come out with intensity," said HSU Head Coach Steve Kinder. "I am excited about the way we shared the basketball. We had 25 assists and nine turnovers, so that is a good indication we are playing the right way. Everybody cherished each other's successes and pulling the rope in the same direction."

Portland Bible College was limited to 25 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes and trailed 51-16 at intermission. Calvin Young II proved to be a defensive playmaker for the Jacks as he swiped a team-best five steals in the first half and scored six points to go with five boards.

Things didn't get much better for the visitors in the second half as wave after wave of HSU subs took the court and dominated the opposition. The Green and Gold reserves were responsible for 36 of the team's 46 second-half points. Jackson and Trevon Bentley combined for 23 points in the final 20 minutes as they helped HSU shooters connect on 65.5 percent of their shot attempts.

Young (12) and Justin Everett (14) joined Jackson (20) and Bentley (10) with double-digit scoring totals. Everett finished a perfect 7-for-7 shooting and pulled down seven of the team's 41 boards.

"I felt like my shot was falling today," said Jackson, who made his home debut Sunday. "I have been putting in the hard work up to this point, practicing every day leading up to this game. Today, I had my opportunity. This was my first home game, and it was great to get in front of the home crowd. We know what we have at stake here and we want to capitalize on that."

HSU returns to conference action as it hosts Cal State Los Angeles Thursday night in Lumberjack Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.