ARCATA, Calif. -- On Saturday evening, the Cal Poly Humboldt men's basketball team hosted Cal State Dominguez Hills for their annual Black Out Night. The Toros capitalized on Humboldt's 23 turnovers, and defeated the Lumberjacks in overtime with a final score of 89-84. Malek Davis led the 'Jacks with 25 points, while Marlon Ruffin recorded a 13 point and 14 rebound double-double. 

Malek Davis and Ian Krishnan combined for the first 15 points of the game, which gave Humboldt the 15-10 head start at the 14:26 mark of the first half. Dominguez Hills quietly kept themselves around and took a 28-27 lead after a Lumberjack turnover gave Jeremy Dent-Smith a fast break layup. With just under four minutes to go until the half, the 'Jacks got hot from beyond the arc as Krishnan and Bryce Mitchell each hit a pair of three-pointers that boosted the Humboldt lead to 12 points, 42-30. However, the Toros responded with two quick baskets that cut the Lumberjack lead to eight at the half, 42-34.

At the 11:16 mark of the second half, a Krishnan long ball gave the 'Jacks a 13-point advantage, their largest of the game. Once again, the Toros managed to creep their way back in the game after a 9-2 run that pulled them to within five points after free throws from David Cheatom. Ten Humboldt turnovers in the second half helped the six active members of Dominguez Hills grab the lead when DJ Guest knocked down a pair of free throws at the 1:17 mark. In the final minute of the game, Mitchell and Davis each made two free throws that gave the 'Jacks a four point lead with 20 seconds to go, 73-69. That wasn't enough to send the Toro's home, as DJ Guest hit a jumper with 11 seconds left in the game. Davis went to the free-throw line after being fouled and only converted on his first attempt, which gave Dominguez Hills a chance to send the game to overtime. With less than two seconds on the clock, Andre Ball hit a deep three-pointer that tied the game and gave the Toros all the momentum they needed heading into overtime tied at 74.

The 'Jacks turned the ball over five times in the five minute overtime period that granted Dominguez Hills with the boost they needed to pull away down the stretch. The Toros shot 66.7 percent from the field and went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line to outscore Humboldt 15-10 in overtime and leave Arcata with an 89-84 victory. 

Although Cal State Dominguez Hills (10-14, 6-12 CCAA) swept their road trip this week, they are mathematically eliminated from the conference tournament. Cal Poly Humboldt (12-12, 10-8 CCAA) still remains in third place as the playoff race is getting down to the wire. With four games left, only two games in the loss column separate the current third place 'Jacks from the current ninth place Cal State Monterey Bay Otters (9-13, 7-10 CCAA). 

NOTABLE STATS
- Malek Davis led Humboldt with 25 points and chipped in six assists.
- Marlon Ruffin recorded his second straight double-double, collecting 13 points and a season-high 14 rebounds.
- Ian Krishnan had 19 points on 58.3 percent shooting from the field and 55.5 shooting from three-point range.
- Cam Timmons grabbed 12 rebounds.
- Bryce Mitchell had a perfect shooting night, going 100 percent from the field, three-point range, and free-throw line. He had 10 points.
- Dominguez Hills out shot Humboldt at the free throw line 86.4 percent compared to 66.7 percent.
- The 'Jacks tied their season-high for turnovers with 23. Dominguez Hills scored 24 points off turnovers in comparison to Humboldt's eight. 

UP NEXT
Humboldt (12-12, 10-8 CCAA) will host first place Cal State San Bernardino (20-3, 15-2 CCAA) this Thursday to kickoff the final home stand of the year. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. from Lumberjack Arena.  

For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt men's basketball, please visit humboldtathletics.com and follow us on all social media platforms.