HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal Poly Humboldt men's basketball continued its hot streak Thursday night, rolling past Cal State East Bay with an impressive 88-74 victory at Pioneer Gym. The Jacks controlled the game from the opening tip, leading by as many as 26 points in the second half to secure their seventh win in their last eight games.

With the win, Humboldt (14-8, 10-7 CCAA) still hold a tie for third place in the CCAA standings alongside Cal State San Bernardino, a team they have already swept this season. The Jacks also create a two-game separation from the three teams tied for fifth place (Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State East Bay, and Cal State LA) as they inch closer to clinching a spot in the CCAA Tournament in San Marcos with just five games remaining in the regular season.

"Not only was this a great win on the road against a quality program, but it was also a testament to how resilient and confident our team has become," stated head coach Chris Tifft. "To bounce back from a tough home loss this past Saturday and have this type of performance on the road says a lot about the character of our team. We had so many positive contributions up and down our roster tonight, and obviously it was great to have Kyle Frelow bac in the lineup. We are excited to build on this performance as we head to SF State on Saturday."

A True Team Effort
Humboldt had six players score in double figures and 11 total players saw the court in the statement win. Kyle Frelow put together a dominant performance in the paint, recording his fifth double-double of the season with career-highs of 18 points and 15 rebounds. Kalib LaCount boosted the Jacks with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

Rob Diaz III added 15 points and three steals, while Marsai Mason contributed 14 points, hitting 7-of-10 from the field and adding four blocks defensively. Josiah Sanders and Aidan Fowler each chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively, with Sanders going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Humboldt's efficiency on offense was key, as the Jacks shot a blistering 58.3% (35-of-60) from the field and 73.7% (14-of-19) from the free-throw line. Defensively, they held the Pioneers (10-13, 8-9 CCAA) to just 37.9% shooting in the first half, allowing them to build a commanding 44-27 halftime lead.

Key Moments

• The Jacks took control early, jumping out to a 17-point lead at halftime behind strong defensive pressure and efficient scoring.
• Humboldt extended its lead to 26 points in the second half, putting the game out of reach before East Bay made a late push.
• The Jacks dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Pioneers 34-32 while also outscoring them 46-44 in the paint.

Up Next
Cal Poly Humboldt looks to keep its momentum rolling as they take on San Francisco State (9-15, 7-11 CCAA) for a pivotal road matchup this Saturday, February 15. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM at the Main Gym At Don Nasser Family Plaza. Back in December, the Jacks defeated the Gators with a final score of 83-69 in Arcata. 

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.