SEASIDE, Calif. — Behind a dominant third quarter and key contributions from multiple players, Cal Poly Humboldt earned a 59-44 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay in Saturday's CCAA matchup at the Otter Sports Center. The win lifts the Lumberjacks to 4-8 overall and 3-3 in conference play, while the Otters fall to 3-9 (0-6 CCAA).
The game saw eight lead changes and four ties, but a decisive 20-5 third quarter gave the Lumberjacks the momentum they needed to pull away.
Key Performers
- Riley Sanz led all Lumberjacks with a career-high 15 points, shooting 6-for-14 from the field and adding three rebounds.
- Jadis Watson dominated both sides of the ball. She recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and showcased her presence in the paint with four steals and three blocks.
- Kaiija Lesane chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds, while Dailani Richardson added nine points off the bench, including a nearly perfect 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Team Stats
Cal Poly Humboldt capitalized on turnovers, converting 20 points off Monterey Bay's 26 giveaways. The Jacks also controlled the glass, grabbing 38 rebounds to the Otters' 33, and outscored the hosts 26-18 in the paint.
After a slow start, Humboldt heated up, shooting 50% in the second and third quarters combined. Their defensive effort held the Otters to just 33.3% shooting overall and a dismal 21.7% from beyond the arc.
Decisive Third Quarter
The game turned in the third quarter when Humboldt outscored Monterey Bay 20-5, fueled by Watson's aggressive play inside and Sanz's timely shooting. The Jacks' defense forced six Otter turnovers during the period and limited them to just two field goals.
Monterey Bay Highlights
For the Otters, Leah Sarabia led the way with 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while A'ajah Slocum recorded a double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds. However, Monterey Bay's struggles from the free-throw line (5-for-10) and turnovers ultimately proved costly.
Coach's Corner
"Definitely good to get the road win," said head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "We started off slow offensively and had too many unforced turnovers, however, I thought we out a solid second half together on both ends of the floor. Overall, we had better balance in our scoring attack which I was pleased about as this was a focus of ours."
Up Next
Cal Poly Humboldt returns home to host Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday, January 9, at Lumberjack Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt women's basketball, please visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app, and follow us on all social media platforms.
