Cal Poly Humboldt Women's Basketball Secures Wire-to-Wire Victory Over CSUSB
ARCATA, Calif. – Cal Poly Humboldt women's basketball delivered a commanding performance in front of the home crowd, leading from start to finish in a 76-67 victory over Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday night at Lumberjack Arena. Career-best performances from Riley Sanz and Andjela Pavicevic propelled the Lumberjacks to their fourth CCAA win of the season.
The Lumberjacks (5-8, 4-3 CCAA) set the tone early, opening the game with an explosive 28-point first quarter on 68.8% shooting, including a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. Humboldt's relentless energy and defensive intensity kept the Coyotes (3-9, 2-5 CCAA) at bay throughout the contest, as the Jacks never relinquished their lead.
Sanz and Pavicevic Shine Bright
Riley Sanz recorded a career-high 18 points, going 7-for-9 from the free-throw line and pulling down six rebounds. Andjela Pavicevic added her own career-best 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out four assists. Their stellar play anchored the Jacks, who outshot the Coyotes 52.3% to 34.2%.
Kendall Pickford was another key contributor for Humboldt, finishing with 12 points, including a perfect 4-for-4 from deep in the first half. Kyori Lloyd led the team on the boards with eight rebounds, while Kaiija Lesane tallied a game-high seven assists and chipped in six rebounds.
Dominant Start and Steady Finish
The Lumberjacks' first-quarter burst set the tone for the game, building a 28-12 lead after ten minutes. Although the Coyotes clawed back within striking distance multiple times, Humboldt's efficiency at the free-throw line (79.2%) and timely defensive stops ensured the victory.
Cal State San Bernardino's Jaida Jackson led all scorers with 21 points, while Rebecca Saidoff added 14 points off the bench for the Coyotes. Despite their efforts, the Coyotes struggled to find consistency, shooting just 29.7% from three-point range and committing 10 turnovers.
Team Stats
Humboldt dominated the fast break, outscoring CSUSB 22-12 in transition, and controlled the paint with a 22-20 edge. The Jacks also benefited from their depth, as the bench contributed 20 points.
Coach's Corner
"I am really proud of the team tonight," said head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "I thought we put a complete game together on both ends of the floor and it was a total team effort. We executed the defesnive game plan and got offensive contribution from everyone. I am pleased to see the collective improvement from the team and we must continue to build."
Up Next
The Lumberjacks will look to carry their momentum into their next matchup against No. 21 Cal Poly Pomona this Saturday, January 11, at 1:00 p.m. in Lumberjack Arena. Fans are encouraged to come out and support as the Jacks aim to extend their two game winning streak. It is also Youth Day, so the team will be signing post game autographs for all kids in attendance.
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.
