ARCATA, Calif. — A relentless second-half surge led by freshman Aidan Fowler propelled Cal Poly Humboldt to a thrilling 84-78 comeback victory over Cal State LA on Thursday night at Lumberjack Arena. With their second consecutive win, the Lumberjacks improve to 9-7 overall and 5-6 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play, moving into fifth place in the conference standings.

After trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, Humboldt turned the tide with an explosive offensive performance, outscoring the Golden Eagles 50-42 in the second half. Five Lumberjacks scored in double figures.

Fowler Leads the Way
Freshman guard Aidan Fowler delivered a standout performance, leading all Lumberjacks with 22 points. Fowler shot an efficient 8-for-13 from the field, including 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, and added two steals to his stat line.

Balanced Scoring Attack
Joining Fowler in double digits were:

• Rob Diaz III: 20 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.

• Marsai Mason: 14 points and seven rebounds, with key contributions in the paint.

• Kalib LaCount: 13 points, highlighted by a near-flawless 9-for-10 performance at the free-throw line.

• Kyle Frelow: A double-double (his fourth of the season) with 11 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

Key Moments
The Golden Eagles controlled the early stages, shooting 50% from the field in the first half and building a 28-12 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the period. However, Humboldt closed the half on a 14-3 run, cutting the deficit to 36-34 at the break.

In the second half, Humboldt's defense tightened, forcing 15 total turnovers and converting those opportunities into 13 points. The Lumberjacks outrebounded the Golden Eagles, recording 28 rebounds to Cal State LA's 27, and outscored the Golden Eagles 38-12 in second-chance points and fast-break situations.

With four minutes to go, a jumper from Fowler, followed by a tough layup from Mason extended the Lumberjack lead to five points, 73-68. Humboldt continued to attack the glass, and strong free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the victory for the Lumberjacks.

Coach's Corner
"Tonight was a great win for our program," stated head coach Chris Tifft. "We entered the game down a couple of players in Josiah Sanders and Cam Timmons, and quickly found ourselves with our backs against the wall 10 minutes into the game. But our guys showed great character and toughness, getting themselves back into a position to finish with the win. It is always exciting to win the game, but more exciting to play well and show the type of fight we showed tonight."

Golden Eagles' Top Performers
Cal State LA (7-10, 5-6 CCAA) was led by Corey Cofield II, who tallied a game-high 24 points and eight rebounds. Raphael Gay added 21 points, while Dominic Escobar chipped in 17.

Up Next
Cal Poly Humboldt returns to action on Saturday, January 25, when they host first place (RV) Cal State Dominguez Hills (14-3, 11-0 CCAA) at Lumberjack Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. as the Lumberjacks look to extend their winning streak to three games. 

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