ARCATA, Calif---  Humboldt State junior transfer Jaden Edwards recorded his fifth double-double this evening to key the Lumberjacks' 85-68 win over the visiting Simpson Red Hawks this evening in their final non-conference game of the regular season.   Edwards scored a season high 41 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.  He also had two assists and a blocked shot while AJ Sims scored 13 points off the bench for the 'Jacks.
 
FIRST HALF:  Simpson (4-4) jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the first four minutes of the game. An old-fashioned three-point play by Jaden Edwards capped a mini-5-2 run by the 'Jacks to cut HSU's deficit to 11-9.  A three by Dylan Banks increased the Red Hawks' lead to 17-9 with 13:03 on the clock.  An AJ Sims jumper off a pass from Andrew Mork capped a 16-5 run by the Lumberjacks as they took a 25-22 lead. A jumper by Edwards with 4:45 left in half increased the hosts' lead to 32-24.  Simpson didn't go away as the Red Hawks cut the Lumberjack lead to 38-35 heading into the half.
 
SECOND HALF:  A three by Anthony Rice cut HSU's lead to 44-42 early in the second half.  A Will Johnson jumper capped a 9-0 run by the 'Jacks as they took a 53-42 lead four minutes into the new stanza.  The Lumberjacks took an 83-61 lead (their largest of the game) on a dunk by Andrew Mork off a pass from Bryce Mitchell with just five minutes to go in regulation.  Simpson's Aaron Knauss made two free throws to make the final 85-68.
 
SEASON HIGH:  Jaden Edwards' scored a season high 41 points as he went 18-for-23 from the field including two-from-three from beyond the arc.  The junior guard was three-for-five from the line while he grabbed 10 rebounds.  He also dished out two assists and blocked a shot in 27 minutes.  This was Edwards' fifth double-double of the season.
 
ALSO IN DOUBLE DIGITS:  AJ Sims scored a season high 13 points off the bench for the 'Jacks this evening in 18 minutes.  Sims was a perfect five-for-five from the field including three-for-three from three-point range.  He grabbed two rebounds while had one assist and two steals.
 
GET THAT OUTTA HERE:  Humboldt State (6-2) had five blocked shots on the evening with Cam Timmons' blocking two.  Jaden Edwards, Bryce Mitchell and John Riddick each had one blocked shot.
 
6-0:  The Lumberjacks finished the non-conference season 6-0 after their 17-point win this evening.  Four of their six wins were against NCAA Division II West Regional opponents in Western Washington, Simon Fraser, Western Oregon and Dominican.  The other two were against Lincoln (Calif.) and Simpson (Calif.).
 
27-21:  HSU held a 27-21 advantage in bench points this evening paced by AJ Sims' 13 points.  Austin Harris added seven points while Thomas Nelson, Andrew Mork and John Riddick each scored two points.
 
UP NEXT:  Humboldt State will start a three-game road trip this Saturday, December 11 in Turlock, Calif.  The 'Jacks will face Stanislaus State in a 7:30pm starting CCAA game in Turlock. After Saturday, HSU will be at No. 7 Chico State (Dec. 18) and Sonoma State (Dec. 20) to end the 2021 calendar year.  The 'Jacks will return home in the New Year on January 2 when they host Sonoma State at 3pm.