Bay Area roadtrip up next for Lumberjacks

ARCATA — After splitting last week’s games, the Jacks seek a sweep this week when they travel to face San Francisco State and CSU Monterey Bay. Humboldt State faces off against the S.F. State Gators at 7:30 p.m. Friday, then takes on the CSUMB Otters at the same time on Saturday. Both games are the latter half of doubleheaders tipped off with the women’s contest, and both count in the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings.
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Live Stats: Humboldt State men’s basketball home games can be followed online through the LiveStats feature on the hsujacks.com web site. Statistics are available in real time, with full play-by-play and boxscore updated as the game progresses. To access the LiveStats, visit the men’s basketball page and click on the link in the right side menu or go directly to http://livestats.internetconsult.com/humboldt/mbball.. …Live stats will also be available for Friday’s game at San Francisco State through the Gators’ web site at http://athletics.sfsu.edu/men/basketball/livestats/xlive.htm. Saturday’s game at CSUMB will also have the feature available at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/csumb/mbball/.

On the Air: Humboldt State men’s basketball home games and road games will be broadcast again this year on KATA, 1340 AM, the local ESPN radio affiliate. J.B. Mathers describes all the action from the East Gym and Dan Pambianco goes on the road to provide play-by-play for conference contests. The broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to tip-off with the pregame show, which offers interviews and analysis. The broadcasts are also streamed through the hsujacks.com web site, making them available globally on the world wide web.

Lumberjacks Notes: Devin Peal’s triumphant return was an obvious boost to the Jacks’ lineup on Saturday. The senior scored 22 points just days after learning his season had ended because of a torn ligament in his thumb. Further medical evaluation indicated that Peal may be able to play with proper taping, and he decided to test the thumb Saturday. The successful experiment resulted in 22 points, and a happy HSU head coach Tom Wood. “If (doctors) came to operate on him now, I’d hide him somewhere,” Wood said. …Peal currently ranks third in the CCAA in scoring with an average of 17.2 points per game, and second in shooting percentage at .588. …The Lumberjacks are also healing up from the rash of illnesses and injuries that occurred recently, ranging from Cy Vandermeer’s injured ankle to Ernie Spada’s respiratory infection. …Providing a lift off the bench in Saturday’s win over UC San Diego was junior transfer Jameson Figgatt, In 14 minutes on the floor, Figgatt contributed four points, three rebounds an assist and blocked shot. “Jameson has been a warrior,” Wood said. “He plays hard and has the trust of his teammates. I trust him, too, and when I look out on the floor and see him out there, I feel confident.” …A remarkable statistic coming out of Saturdays’ game was the Jacks’ total of three turnovers. For the season, they’re averaging 13.5 per game while forcing opponents into 17.6, a margin that ranks second in the CCAA behind CSU San Bernardino.

Opponents Notes: San Francisco State has posted an impressive 8-3 overall record and is off to a 3-1 start in the CCAA standings. The Gators most recently posted a pair of road wins, defeating Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State last weekend. …Senior Chris Rodriguez and freshman Robert Hayes have been the team’s top scorers, averaging 10.5 and 10.4 points per game, respectively. Returning junior guard Alex Thomas is also averaging 9.4 points per game while leading the team with 41 assists. …CSU Monterey Bay has dropped several close games in falling to 1-9 overall and 0-4 in league. Included in its losses is an 85-80 overtime decision to Division I Fresno State. The Otters are paced in scoring by three players in double figures, led by junior Augie Johnston’s 18.1 ppg average. Junior Joe Mitchell averages 13.8 points and 10 rebounds per game, and senior D’Shon Cannon is scoring 14.1 ppg.

Woods’ Wisdom: “San Francisco State is off to a great start, and they’ve managed to win three of four league games on the road. They’re playing well and finding ways to win.” … “Cal State Monterey Bay is a team with great athleticism, and a warrior-like mentality. They have crafty, veteran guys who know how to play. The season has been tough for them, from a won-loss standpoint, but they’ve had some moments. This is a team with a great perimeter game.”

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