SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Cal Poly Humboldt men's basketball opened its 2025–26 campaign with a hard-fought 83–71 setback to Western Washington on Friday evening at the Conlan Center. The contest marked the head coaching debut of DJ Broome, whose Lumberjacks remained within one possession with just three minutes left before the Vikings pulled away late.

Shakir Odunewu powered the Lumberjacks in the paint with a game-high 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting while adding nine rebounds. Rob Jenkins added 16 points and five assists, and Brandon Bento-Jackson knocked down four three-pointers en route to 14 points. Drew Ardouin also finished in double figures with 12 points and a pair of threes.

Cal Poly Humboldt (0–1) traded leads with Western Washington (2–2) throughout the night, as the game featured 11 ties and six lead changes. The Lumberjacks trailed by just three at the break, 37–34, and continued to battle in the second half. A late surge from Odunewu and Jenkins trimmed the deficit to 68–66 with just over three minutes remaining, but the Vikings capitalized on a few key possessions down the stretch to seal the win.

Humboldt shot a solid 45.2 percent from the field and held a 17–11 advantage in second-chance points while matching Western Washington's energy on the glass, 38–37.

Aidan Rice led the Vikings with 22 points, connecting on five three-pointers. Western Washington's bench added 43 points to provide the difference.

The Lumberjacks continue the season-opening weekend on Saturday when they face host institution of the West Region Tip-Off Challenge, Dominican University, at 7:15 p.m. in San Rafael.

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