ARCATA, Calif. – Cal Poly Humboldt's men's basketball team delivered an impressive performance in front of a lively home crowd at Lumberjack Arena, defeating Simpson University 84-62 on Tuesday night. With a strong showing from both starters and bench players, the Lumberjacks improved their season record to 2-1, asserting their dominance from start to finish.

Leading the charge was Rob Diaz III, who scored a game-high 19 points, shooting an efficient 8-for-12 from the field, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Teammate Kalib LaCount also contributed significantly, tallying 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting while adding five assists and two steals.

Cal Poly Humboldt took control early, closing the first half with a 39-33 lead, powered by efficient shooting at 50% from the field. The Lumberjacks' offensive prowess continued in the second half, where they outscored the Red Hawks 45-29. Humboldt's aggressive play was evident on both ends of the floor, generating 25 points off turnovers and dominating with 46 points in the paint.

Forward Kyle Frelow was a force on the boards, collecting a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with his 12 points. The Lumberjacks finished the game with a 39-30 rebounding advantage, including 18 second-chance points that further extended their lead.

The defensive efforts of Humboldt shined, led by Jamal Briscoe, who contributed five steals along with his 11 points. The Lumberjacks' high-pressure defense forced Simpson into 18 turnovers, stifling the Red Hawks' offensive rhythm and preventing any comeback.

For Simpson, Derek Gordon led his team with 14 points, shooting 5-for-11 from the field, while Jace Mills added 11 points. Despite shooting a solid 39.3% overall, the Red Hawks struggled to find consistent scoring opportunities, hampered by Humboldt's defensive efforts and their own turnovers.

The Lumberjacks return to action next week when they host Western Oregon on Tuesday at 7:00 PM in Lumberjack Arena.