SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- Cal Poly Humboldt (12-15, 10-11 CCAA) faced off against the No. 7 team in the West Region, Cal State San Marcos (17-9, 16-5 CCAA), on Thursday evening from The Sports Center. After being down 17 points with 6:38 to go, Humboldt put up a comeback effort that fell short, resulting in an 80-75 victory for Cal State San Marcos. Marlon Ruffin led all scorers with 27 points, while Brandon Porter recorded a 13 point, 14 rebound double-double. 

Humboldt was in control early, after a thunderous dunk from Brandon Porter put the 'Jacks up 12-6 at the 16:02 mark. The Lumberjacks paced the Cougars for just over five minutes and maintained their six-point lead until the 10:53 mark. With 9:06 to go, Greg Milton III of San Maros hit a pair of free-throws to give the Cougars a 20-19 lead. The Cougars extended their lead to 10 points with three minutes to go before the half. Humboldt responded with a 12-1 run that put them back on top 40-39, but with 14 seconds left on the clock Jayce McCain of San Marcos hit a jumper that gave the Cougars a 41-40 advantage at the half.

San Marcos opened the second half on a 15-2 run that gave them a 56-42 lead. With 6:18 to go in the game, the Cougars grabbed a 17-point lead, their largest of the game. A surge from the Humboldt offense saw Marlon Ruffin score 11 points, Bryce Mitchell score eight points, and Kareem Clark add five points to close out the game. The 'Jacks went on a 17-4 run that cut the Cougar lead to four points after Clark grabbed a steal and finished the play with a  layup with 1:43 on the clock. San Marcos chipped away to grow their lead to nine points, 78-69, with just 23 seconds left. Humboldt went on a quick 5-0 run in 13 seconds after a pair of Bryce Mitchell free-throws and a Marlon Ruffin three-pointer pulled them to within four, 78-74. However, the comeback fell just short and the 'Jacks were forced to foul as time ran off the clock, resulting in a 80-75 defeat at San Marcos.

NOTABLE STATS
- Marlon Ruffin led all scorers with 27 points. He also added 9 rebounds. 
- Brandon Porter recorded a 13 point, 14 rebound double-double, his first of the season.
- Joel Mensah led the Cougars with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
- It was almost an even shooting night, as San Marcos ended the night shooting 43.5% (30-of-69), while Humboldt came in at 41.9% (26-of-62).
- The Cougars outscored Humboldt 16-10 in points off turnovers.

PLAYOFF PICTURE
The Lumberjacks drop to 5th place in the CCAA standings after Thursday's loss, but still look to clinch a spot in the CCAA tournament with a win on Saturday over Cal State LA. Cal State LA was eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday after their loss to Sonoma State.

San Bernardino and San Marcos have clinched first round byes, while San Francisco State and Sonoma State clinched a spot in the CCAA tournament with their wins on Thursday. 

Humboldt holds the tiebreaker over Cal State East Bay, who currently reside right behind the 'Jacks in the standings at 6th place. 

With the top six teams earning a spot in the tournament, and four teams (Cal Poly Humboldt - 5th, Cal State East Bay - 6th, Cal Poly Pomona - Tied 7th, Chico State - Tied 7th) still looking to round out the final two spots, the final game of the regular season on Saturday will have huge implications. Both Humboldt and East Bay sit at 10-11 in CCAA play, while Pomona and Chico face off Saturday and are tied at 9-12. 

UP NEXT
On Saturday, Cal Poly Humboldt (12-15, 10-11 CCAA) will take on Cal State Los Angeles (11-16, 8-13 CCAA) in hopes of clinching a spot in the CCAA tournament with a win. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. from the Cal State LA University Gym in Los Angeles. 

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