ARCATA, Calif..--- Humboldt State will begin the 2020 part of its 2019-20 with a three-game home stand beginning this Saturday, January 4 against Stanislaus State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm at Lumberjack Arena.
RECAP OF HSU'S LAST GAME: The Lumberjacks are coming off a 93-66 loss at Chico State on December 21 despite
Zachariah Christian's game high 20 points.
Jackson Strong chipped in 16 points while going 11-for-12 from the line and
Amari Green added 13 points for HSU. The Lumberjacks were only down 43-36 at the half, but Chico State outscored HSU 50-30 in the second half.
UPDATE ON THE LUMBERJACKS: Humboldt State is 6-6 overall and 2-5 in the Californai Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) heading into its game this Saturday. The Lumberjacks tied for tenth place with Sonoma State, two games out of sixth place. No. 6 UC San Diego leads the CCAA with its 5-1 record followed by Chico State and Cal State East Bay who are tied for second at 5-2. Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona are tied for fourth (4-2) while Stanislaus State, Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills are each 4-3 and tied for sixth place.
The Lumberjacks are averaging 80.9 points per game while giving up 83.0 points per game. They are out-rebounding their opponents 34.7 to 33.7.
Rob Lewis leads the way for HSU with his 15.3 scoring average followed by
Leland Green (15.1 ppg),
Jackson Strong (13.3 ppg) and
Zachariah Christian (10.0 ppg). Christian leads the 'Jacks with his 5.7 rebounding average and 56.3% shooting from the field.
Leland Green has dished out a team leading 38 assists and
Isaiah Sampson has blocked a team high eight shots. Strong leads the team with his 39 three's made, 42.4% shooting from beyond the arc and 90.3% shooting from the line.
CHRISTIAN CAREER NIGHT: Zachariah Christian scored a career high 20 points in the Lumberjacks' last game at Chico State. He connected on a career high eight field goals including two three's while going a perfect two-for-two from the line. The senior power forward grabbed eight rebounds, blocked a shot and dished out an assist. For the season, Christian is averaging 10.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He has 22 assists while shooting 56% from the field, 46% from three's and 66.7% from the line.
NO. 20: Humboldt State's
Jackson Strong is still amongst the nation's leaders in three-point field goals according to the latest NCAA Division II Men's Basketball statistical report that was released this morning. Strong is 20
th in three-point field goals made and 40
th in three's made per game. The senior shooting guard has connected on 39 of his attempts from beyond the arc which places him 20
th in the nation in NCAA Division II. His 3.25 three's made per game places him 40
th in the nation. He leads the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in both categories and is second with his 42.4% shooting from three-point range. For his career, Strong has made 128 three's which is currently eighth on HSU's all-time career list in three-point field goals made. Mark White is eighth with 136 (2000-04) while Ernie Spada's 202 three's made from 2008-11 is the all-time career mark in HSU.
17-4 IN THE LUMBERJACK ARENA: The Lumberjacks 17-4 in their own arena since the beginning of the 2018-19 season. Humboldt State is 5-1 this season with its only loss an 86-73 setback to Sonoma State on November 21.
ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO: As a team, Humboldt State has a +1.1 assist to turnover ratio heading into its game on Saturday. The Lumberjacks have six players that have dished out more assists than turning the ball over. The six 'Jacks are
Leland Green (38 assists, 23 turnovers),
Jackson Strong (22 assists, 12 turnovers),
Amari Green (20 assists, 14 turnovers),
Isaiah Pope (15 assists, 13 turnovers),
Gabrys Sadaunykas (eight assists, three turnovers) and
Bryce Jackson (four assists, 0 turnovers).
BALANCED SCORING ATTACK: Humboldt State has four active players that are averaging double digits in scoring this season paced by
Rob Lewis' 15.3 scoring average.
Leland Green is right behind him with his 15.1 average followed by
Jackson Strong's 13.3 average and
Zachariah Christian's 10.0 average.
SIX OVER 75%: As a team, the Lumberjacks are shooting 75.8% from the charity stripe. Seven active players are shooting 75% of better from the line paced by
Jackson Strong's 90.3% shooting followed by
Isaiah Pope 85%,
Leland Green's 82.1% and
Amari Green's 81.5%. Rounding out the pack is
Isaiah Sampson (77.8%) and
Gabrys Sadaunykas (75%).
Noah Viera has made his only attempt from the line this season.
WARRIORS IN REVIEW: Stanislaus State is 8-4 overall and 4-3 in the CCAA after its 59-58 win at Cal State East Bay on December 22. The Warriors are averaging 72.3 points per game while giving up 68.4 points per game. They are out-rebounding their opponents 33.3 to 30.7. Four players are averaging double digits in Vida Faniel (14.6 ppg), Ty Davis (14.5 ppg), Xavier Francois (13.8 ppg) and Darius Scott (11.0 ppg). Francois is shooting a team best 56.9% from the field while Faniel has connected on a team high 22 three's. Luis Salgado leads the Warriors with his 41% shooting from three's while Scott is shooting a team high 88.6% from the line. Francois also leads the team with his 6.6 rebounding average and Davis has a team leading 33 assists and 14 steals.
Since January 25, 2007, Humboldt State leads the all-time series 20-7. The teams have split the last six games including last year. HSU won 87-78 in Arcata on December 8, 2018, and lost 88-86 in Turlock on February 7, 2019.
WATCH THE GAME: If you cannot attend the game on Saturday, you can watch it on the CCAA network at
www.ccaanetwork.com/hsu. You can view the live stats at
https://hsujacks.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary and listen to JB Mathers call the game on ESPN Radio 92.7FM or 1340AM.
UP NEXT: After Saturday's game in Chico, Humboldt State will continue its three-game home stand with a pair of conference games next week. The Lumberjacks will host Cal State San Marcos on January 9 and No. 8 UC San Diego on January 11. Game times are set for 7:30pm both nights at Lumberjack Arena.
