ARCATA, Calif.--- In the midst one of the closest CCAA playoff battles in the last few years, the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks will look to maintain their third place position and gain some separation from the rest of the conference when they host Cal State East Bay on Thursday and Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday. Tip-off for both games is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

With just six games remaining, the North Coast squad is one of seven teams all within two games of each other. The 'Jacks (11-11, 9-7 CCAA) helped their chances last weekend with a key 71-67 victory over Chico State (10-11, 8-8 CCAA) to gain a little bit of separation from their rivals to the east. Head men's basketball coach Tae Norwood believes the team responded well after a tough 86-71 loss to Stanislaus State (9-13, 7-9 CCAA) prior to the Chico game and noted that there will be no shortage of motivation going down the stretch.

"I think the guys responded," Norwood said. "We're playing for a lot right now, playing for a postseason berth. So you've got to play with a sense of urgency." 

Despite the high stakes coming down the stretch, the 'Jacks have the benefit of having two of their last three weekends at home in the friendly confines of Lumberjack Arena.

"Anytime you get a chance to play on your home court, the court that you practice on and shoot on, sleeping in your own bed, that gives you a little bit of an advantage," the coach said. "But you still have to go out there and execute and play the game. I think we're better set up right now going down the stretch and playing four in a row at home with a chance to really get some separation and even clinch, these next two weeks, a playoff spot. So the great thing is we control our own destiny and we control our own path."

Cal State East Bay (8-14, 6-10 CCAA) comes into Thursday's matchup having lost 93-69 to first place Cal State San Bernardino (18-3, 13-2) after winning their four previous games. They are led by Lewis Grady, who is averaging 14.2 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. 

"They do a really good job of pushing the ball in transition," Norwood said. "[Grady] he's one of the top bigs in the league, so they'll look to play inside-outside basketball. We've got to make sure we limit his touches and when he does get touches we make it difficult for him to score the basketball."

On Saturday the 'Jacks play host to Cal State Dominguez Hills (8-14, 4-12 CCAA). The Toros are currently on a seven game losing skid and are led by DJ Guest (13.2 ppg, 7 rpg) and Damien Miller (4 apg, 1.6 spg). 

"Dominguez is a dangerous team," Norwood said. "They've got some players that can individually score the basketball, veteran guys. I know they haven't had the results on their record thus far this year, but they're very dangerous and very capable of beating anybody in the league."

Saturday's game will also be "Blackout Night." Fans are encouraged to pack the gym and wear black as both teams recognize and celebrate Black History Month.