SAN DIEGO, Calif..--- Five players scored in double digits to key the Humboldt State's 89-81 victory over Fresno Pacific (0-2) in a non-conference west region match-up in San Diego, Calif.
Rob Lewis recorded his first double-double as a Lumberjack with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Other players scoring in double digits for HSU were
RaySean Scott Jr. (15 points),
Amari Green (13 points),
Leland Green 912 points) and
Jackson Strong (11 points).
QUOTES FROM THE COACH: "Tonight was a collective effort using every player on our roster to get the win," said head coach
Steve Kinder. "We took another step forward playing better collective basketball, but we have a long way to go before we are hitting on all cylinders to reach our potential. We will get back to the practice floor on Monday and work on our team defensive concepts."
FIRST HALF: A three by
Jackson Strong gave Humboldt State (1-1) a 9-8 lead seven minutes into the first half. HSU increased its lead to 11-8 on a lay-up by
Ruben Parks, Jr. The Sunbirds took a 13-11 lead on two made free throws by Nate Kendricks. Fresno Pacific increased its lead to 19-16on two free throws by Jonathan Brown mid-way through the half. Back to back lay-ups by
Amari Green and
Zachariah Christian gave HSU a 23-22 lead. The Sunbirds outscored HSU 11-6 in the next few minutes to take a 33-29 lead. The Lumberjacks finished the half outscoring FPU 6-5 capped by a
Noah Viera lay-up to cut the deficit to 38-37 heading into the half.
SECOND HALF: a three by Sean Nealon-Lino gave FPU a 43-39 lead just two minutes into the new half. The Sunbirds increased their lead to 47-42, but a
Leland Green lay-up cut FPU's lead to 48-46 mid-way through the half. Once again, FPU increased its lead to 54-50 with 13:06 left in regulation. A lay-up by
Leland Green off a pass from Robert Lewis gave HSU a 63-62. A lay-up by Aamondae Coleman gave FPU a 68-66 lead with eight minutes left in the game. Another jumper by
Leland Green gave HSU the 74-73 lead at the 6:06 mark a lead the 'Jacks would not relinquish. A lay-up by
Amari Green capped a 10-1 run by the 'Jacks as they took an 84-74 lead with just 97 seconds left in the game. FPU cut HSU's lead to 87-81 on a three by Nate Kendricks, but a Robert Lewis lay-up sealed the 89-81 win for the Lumberjacks.
BALANCED SCORING: Five players scored in double digits for the 'Jacks in Robert Lewis 24 points,
RaySean Scott Jr. 15 points,
Amari Green with 13 points followed by
Leland Green's 12 points and
Jackson Strong with 11 points. Lewis had a team high 11 rebounds.
DEFENSE: HSU forced 18 turnovers by the Sunbirds including seven by steals (three by Lewis and
Amari Green). The 'Jacks held FPU to 41% shooting from the field including 29% from the three-point land.
FIVE-GAME HOME STAND: Humboldt State will begin a five-game home stand this Wednesday, November 13 at 7pm when the 'Jacks host Antelope Valley. They will also host Pacific Union this Saturday, November 16 at 7pm.
