BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Cal Poly Humboldt men's basketball opened their season with an emphatic 88-67 victory over Simon Fraser at Carver Gym on Friday night at the West Region Crossover. The Lumberjacks showcased their depth and offensive prowess, setting the tone early and never relinquishing the lead to secure their first win of the season.

"It was nice to see us get off to a quick start and jump out in front early," stated head coach Christ Tifft. "We talked last week about using our full court defense to generate some offense and I thought that's exactly what we did to start the game."

Leading the charge was Rob Diaz III, the reigning CCAA Freshman of the Year, who scored a game-high 24 points on an efficient 11-for-17 shooting. Marsai Mason contributed with a well-rounded performance off the bench, tallying 18 points and grabbing eight rebounds, helping Humboldt control the pace and dominate on both ends. Humboldt capitalized on fast-break opportunities, outscoring Simon Fraser 31-1 in transition, while the team's defense forced 25 turnovers, converting them into 34 points.

The Lumberjacks started strong, building a 15-point lead at halftime with a 49-34 edge that was capped off by a Kalib LaCount buzzer beater. They shot 52.8% from the field in the first half and displayed their depth as their bench accounted for 33 points in the game. Humboldt continued to apply pressure in the second half, finishing the game with a solid 49.3% shooting mark and sinking six three-pointers. Their relentless defense held Simon Fraser to 42.1% shooting and only 25.9% from beyond the arc.

Humboldt's efforts on the glass proved crucial, as they outrebounded Simon Fraser 39-34 and dominated the paint, scoring 46 points inside. Kyle Frelow was instrumental in the rebound battle, collecting nine boards alongside eight points, while Josiah Sanders added 10 points in 16 minutes of play.

Freshman guard Aidan Fowler had a strong showing in his Humboldt debut, as he tallied 13 points. 

"With so many new players and not having played other opponents, I was curious as how we would come out in the first game this season," added Tifft. "It was nice to see us be aggressive, share the ball, and play with enthusiasm. We know tomorrow is going to be a tough challenge on Western Washington's home court. I look forward to playing a road game this early in the season to see where we are."

With this victory, Cal Poly Humboldt improves to 1-0 on the season and will look to build on this strong start as they continue their campaign on Saturday against host school Western Washington, a team that upset No. 12 Cal State Dominguez Hills on a buzzer beater on Friday night. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM. 

Key Stats
- Points in the Paint: Humboldt 46, Simon Fraser 28
- Fast Break Points: Humboldt 31, Simon Fraser 1
- Points off Turnovers: Humboldt 34, Simon Fraser 18