ARCATA, Calif---  The Humboldt State Lumberjack men's basketball team is off to its first 5-0 start since 2011-12 after a 74-68 win over the visiting Dominican Penguins this afternoon at Lumberjack Arena.  Five players scored in double digits for the 'Jacks in Jaden Edwards (19 points), Will Johnson (16 points), Thomas Melonja (12 points), Cam Timmons (12 points) and AJ Sims (10 points).
 
FIRST HALF: Dominican (1-4) jumped out to an early 9-2 lead capped by a Justin Brown jumper in the first two minutes of the game.  AJ Sims' lay-up four minutes later capped an 8-2 run by the 'Jacks as they cut the deficit to 11-10.  HSU took its first lead of the game on a Will Johnson lay-up with 9:26 left in the half, 16-15.  The Penguins came right back and outscored HSU 12-7 to take a 25-21 lead with 5:07 on the clock.  A three by Sims with less than a minute to go in the first half gave HSU a 34-33 lead.  Dominican came right down the court and retook the lead, 35-34, on a Brown jumper heading into the locker room. 
 
SECOND HALF:  HSU started the second half on an 8-3 run capped by back to back jumpers by Jaden Edwards to give the 'Jacks a 42-38 lead five minutes into the new stanza.  The Penguins followed that run with a 6-2 run of their own to take a 44-40 lead.  They increased their lead to 49-44 on a jumper by Justin Brown.  A Cam Timmons jumper off a pass from Thomas Melonja capped a 13-5 run by the 'Jacks as they took a 53-49 lead mid-way through the second half.  Dominican wouldn't go away as the Penguins tied the game at 53-53 on two free throws by Zamaria Odom with 8:11 left in the game.  HSU followed that outscoring the Penguins 15-5 to take a 68-58 lead keyed by an Amari Green three off a pass from AJ Simons with just 2:01 left in regulation.  The Penguins still would not go away as they cut the deficit to four, 72-68, with five seconds to go in the game, but Jaden Edwards' two free throws sealed the 74-68 Lumberjack win.
 
FIRST 5-0 START SINCE 2011-12:  Humboldt State is off to its first 5-0 start since 2011-12 when the 'Jacks finished the season 22-8 including winning the CCAA Basketball Championship Tournament.  The Lumberjacks lost 75-68 to Chico State in the first round of the NCAA Division II West Regional in Bellingham, Washington.
 
BALANCED SCORING:  Five players scored in double digits for the 'Jacks this evening paced by Jaden Edwards' 19 points.  Will Johnson tied his season high with 16 points while Thomas Melonja and Cam Timmons each chipped in 12 points while AJ Sims had 10 points off the bench for the 'Jacks.  Timmons' 12 points was a season high while Melonja tied his season high.
 
15/10:  Humboldt State dished out 15 assists and had 10 steals this evening.  Thomas Melonja and Will Johnson each had three assists to lead the 'Jacks in assists.  Jaden Edwards had a team high three steals with Will Johnson and Bryce Mitchell recording two.
 
JUST ONE:  The 'Jacks went 12-for-13 from the line this afternoon.  Cam Timmons went four-for-four while Will Johnson and Amari Green each were two-for-two.  Jaden Edwards was four-for-five for HSU.
 
UP NEXT:  HSU will begin CCAA play this week with two home games on December 2 and 4.  The 'Jacks will host SF State on December 2 and Cal State Monterey Bay on December 4. Tip-off for both games are set for 7:30pm.