POMONA, Calif. – A thrilling finish in Kellogg Arena saw Cal Poly Humboldt take down Cal Poly Pomona, 57-55, behind a career night from Marsai Mason and a clutch tip-in with 24 seconds left in regulation. The victory snaps an 11-game losing streak to the Broncos and marks the first win over Pomona since December 31, 2018. Men's basketball is the first and only team from Humboldt to defeat Pomona this season and earns 0.5 points towards the Cal Poly Clash.
Humboldt (11-7, 7-6 CCAA) extended its winning streak to four games—the program's longest since 2021—by outlasting the Broncos (10-9, 5-8 CCAA) in a defensive battle. The Jacks showcased their dominance on the glass, led by Mason's career-high 15 rebounds and his second double-double of the season (10 points, 15 rebounds). Kyle Frelow controlled the boards as well, securing 12 rebounds to maintain his position as the CCAA leader with 8.5 rebounds per game.
"It wasn't a pretty win, but it was a gritty one," stated head coach Chris Tifft. "Our ability to win an emotional game like we did last Saturday versus Dominguez Hills and then come to Pomona with the kind of focus we did tonight is encouraging and a step in the right direction. We did a great job of executing our defensive game plan in the first half, and to Pomona's credit they made a big push in the second half. But at the end of the day, we had one of our best defensive performances of the year and that will help us in the long run."
Game Summary
The Lumberjacks dominated the first half, which was highlighted by a Jamal Briscoe alley-oop from Kalib LaCount on a fastbreak, as Humboldt built a 36-23 lead behind suffocating defense and efficient shooting. Humboldt held Pomona to just 20% shooting from the field in the opening period while knocking down 42.9% of their own attempts. The Broncos responded with a furious rally in the second half, outscoring Humboldt 32-21 and tying the game in the final minute.
With the game knotted at 55-55, Mason delivered in crunch time, tipping in the game-winning shot with 24 seconds remaining. Humboldt's defense held strong in the closing moments, sealing the statement win. The Jacks finished with eight blocks as a team, bringing their season average to 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks 9th in the nation.
Key Performances
- Marsai Mason: 10 points, career-high 15 rebounds, game-winning tip-in, 3 blocks
- Rob Diaz III: Game-high 16 points, fifth straight game in double figures, 14th time this season
- Kyle Frelow: 12 rebounds, maintains CCAA lead in rebounding (8.5 RPG)
- Josiah Sanders: 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks
- Team Defense: Eight blocks, holding Pomona to 33.9% shooting
Humboldt's resilience and defensive effort propelled them to the significant road victory, continuing their push up the CCAA standings where they currently have possession of fourth place. The Lumberjacks continue their Southern California road trip for their next contest at Cal State San Bernardino, looking to extend their win streak and build on this momentum.
Cal Poly Clash
For men's and women's basketball, the team that claims the most head-to-head wins in a given season will claim the full point toward the rivalry. If the teams split the season series (e.g. one to one), then each will receive half a point.
With a win for the Lumberjacks on Thursday night, Cal Poly Humboldt men's basketball has claimed at least 0.5 points, as they are 1-1 head-to-head this season against the Broncos and could only possibly play Pomona two more times in the CCAA and NCAA Tournament. However, the Broncos currently own 5.5 points out of the possible 10 in the rivalry, securing the inaugural Cal Poly Clash title.
For more information on the inaugural Cal Poly Clash and previous results this year, click here.
Up Next: This Saturday (Feb. 1) at 3:00 PM, Humboldt will head to Cal State San Bernardino (16-6, 9-4 CCAA) in what is shaped up to be an entertaining battle. The Coyotes currently reside in third place and are riding a five-game win streak, while the Lumberjacks are right on their heels in fourth place and riding a four-game win streak. Humboldt defeated San Bernardino 80-77 on a thrilling buzzer beater by Kalib LaCount back on January 9 in Lumberjack Arena.
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.
