Late Surge Pushes Humboldt Past Cal State Los Angeles

Cal Poly Humboldt overturned an 11-point hole and closed with clutch plays to secure a 75-72 victory over Cal State Los Angeles at Lumberjack Arena on Jan. 4, marking the Lumberjacks' third straight win. The result moved Humboldt to 6-6 overall and 4-2 in California Collegiate Athletic Association competition, a mark that keeps the team above the early-season middle pack and positions it favorably as conference play intensifies.

Zaveion Bineyard led the Lumberjacks with 19 points and seven rebounds, spearheading the scoring that erased the deficit. Key contributions came from the reserve corps, with Drew Ardouin delivering a decisive three-pointer in the final minute and finishing with eight points off the bench. Rob Jenkins recorded a well-rounded line of 12 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Dorrell Thomas added 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Humboldt shot 44.8 percent from beyond the arc, connecting on 13 of 29 attempts, and forced 15 turnovers, repeatedly converting defensive stops into transition and perimeter scoring.

The game unfolded as a test of depth and perimeter accuracy. Humboldt’s hot three-point shooting contrasted with the earlier stretch that allowed an 11-point Cal State LA lead, and the Lumberjacks tightened defensively in the final minutes to preserve a three-point margin. Bench scoring and balanced playmaking were decisive; Jenkins’ distribution and Ardouin’s late-game shot combined to offset periods of offensive inconsistency.

For Humboldt County, the win matters beyond the box score. Home victories at Lumberjack Arena sustain local engagement with college athletics, helping attendance, concession revenues and the broader game-day economy that supports nearby businesses. On the competitive side, a 4-2 conference start provides momentum and a measure of stability for the coaching staff and players as they head into a stretch of road CCAA games the following week.

Looking ahead, sustaining three-point efficiency and limiting turnovers will be critical for the Lumberjacks as they face tougher conference matchups away from Arcata. The Jan. 4 comeback underlines the team’s capacity to overcome deficits and get timely production from role players — a promising sign as Humboldt seeks to build toward the latter half of the season.