BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks showcased their resilience in a thrilling matchup against the Western Washington Vikings on Saturday night at the West Region Crossover, ultimately falling just short, 78-75. The intense back-and-forth contest was a true early-season test, underscoring high expectations for the Lumberjacks' promising roster.

The game, played at Carver Gym in front of 283 fans, saw a remarkable 12 ties and 11 lead changes as both teams exchanged scoring runs and defensive stands. Cal Poly Humboldt found success in the paint, outscoring Western Washington 46-36 down low, while their aggressive play converted Viking turnovers into 29 points. 

Leading the way for the Lumberjacks, Rob Diaz III contributed a standout performance with 17 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field. Kyle Frelow followed with 16 points and an impressive 9 rebounds, controlling the boards and giving Humboldt a strong inside presence. Josiah Sanders added 10 points and 8 rebounds, rounding out a well-balanced attack. Aidan Fowler provided an additional spark off the bench with 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, while Kalib LaCount showcased his court vision, dishing out a team-high 6 assists to go along with 9 points and 7 steals.

Despite Humboldt's effort, Western Washington capitalized on their outside shooting, hitting seven three-pointers compared to Humboldt's four. Grant Kepley led all scorers with 20 points, including a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Vikings forward Trevor White was also key with 16 points off the bench, while Will Wilson's 17 points and eight assists helped the Vikings maintain their slight edge.

Humboldt trailed by eight at halftime but fought back in the second half, shooting a strong 48.4% from the field and going a perfect 7-for-7 from the line to keep the game close. The Lumberjacks' intensity was on display as they clawed back and forced the Vikings into late turnovers, giving Humboldt opportunities to narrow the margin. 

With this narrow loss, Cal Poly Humboldt moves to 1-1 on the season and looks to build on the foundation set during the opening weekend crossover. The 'Jacks will return to Lumberjack Arena and face Simpson University (2-2) in their home opener this Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 PM.