2008 Woodie Awards
Men's Basketball vs. CSU Stanislaus
Garrett Purchio
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Sports
It seems that every time the Humboldt State men's basketball team faces the CSU San Bernardino Coyotes, the game has something meaningful at stake. Last season the two teams finished first and second in the conference and wound up playing each other for the regional championship.
When the two teams face off in Southern California this weekend, it will be for first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Humboldt State, one could argue, has the momentum heading into the match up. The 'Jacks defeated the CSU Stanislaus Warriors 95-81 on Saturday while the Coyotes lost to UC San Diego 76-65.
In the win over CSU Stanislaus the 'Jacks jumped out to an early lead that, for a while, seemed to be too much for the Warriors to overcome. Humboldt State was up 11-2 after the first three minutes and the lead hovered around 10 points for the rest of the half. A minute into the second the 'Jacks had the home crowd on its feet as their lead reached 19 points. This would not last for long, however, as the Warriors slowly chipped away at Humboldt State's seemingly insurmountable lead.
CSU Stanislaus utilized a 16-7 run to close the scoring gap to six points with just over three minutes remaining. Humboldt State's starting line up, which includes four seniors, ensured that the 'Jacks would not lose their first home game of the season. With Ernie Spada, Grayson Moyer, Will Sheufelt, Cy Vandermeer, and Devin Peal on the court, the Warriors' rally went cold over the final three minutes. CSU Stanislaus would only score one more point the rest of the way as Humboldt State improved to 7-1 in the CCAA and 11-3 overall with the win.
The main problem for CSU Stanislaus was that whenever they pressured one Humboldt State player, another was ready to step in. The balanced offense resulted in Humboldt State's second highest point total of the season, with the highest total coming the previous night in a 97-93 win over Chico State. Five 'Jacks players finished the night in double figures, with Peal leading the way with 22 points and adding 11 rebounds. Each starter had at least nine points. Junior forward Nick Green was the leading contributor off the bench for the 'Jacks, scoring 10 points and grabbing three rebounds.
CSU Stanislaus had four players in double-digit points but the rest of the team managed to contribute only 15 in the loss, which dropped the Warriors to 3-12 overall and 2-6 in the CCAA. The main problem for the Warriors was their slow start. They proved in the second half that they can score points. However, the 'Jacks' lead was too great to overcome in just 20 minutes.
With CSU Stanislaus out of the way, the 'Jacks can concentrate on the anticipated first-place match up against the CSU San Bernardino Coyotes. Before the 'Jacks face the Coyotes on Saturday, they will travel to Cal Poly Pomona to battle the Broncos on Friday.
The following week the 'Jacks will return to the East Gym to face the CSU Dominguez Hills Toros and the CSU Los Angeles Golden Eagles. The games, which will be held next Friday and Saturday, both begin at 7:30 p.m.
When the two teams face off in Southern California this weekend, it will be for first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Humboldt State, one could argue, has the momentum heading into the match up. The 'Jacks defeated the CSU Stanislaus Warriors 95-81 on Saturday while the Coyotes lost to UC San Diego 76-65.
In the win over CSU Stanislaus the 'Jacks jumped out to an early lead that, for a while, seemed to be too much for the Warriors to overcome. Humboldt State was up 11-2 after the first three minutes and the lead hovered around 10 points for the rest of the half. A minute into the second the 'Jacks had the home crowd on its feet as their lead reached 19 points. This would not last for long, however, as the Warriors slowly chipped away at Humboldt State's seemingly insurmountable lead.
CSU Stanislaus utilized a 16-7 run to close the scoring gap to six points with just over three minutes remaining. Humboldt State's starting line up, which includes four seniors, ensured that the 'Jacks would not lose their first home game of the season. With Ernie Spada, Grayson Moyer, Will Sheufelt, Cy Vandermeer, and Devin Peal on the court, the Warriors' rally went cold over the final three minutes. CSU Stanislaus would only score one more point the rest of the way as Humboldt State improved to 7-1 in the CCAA and 11-3 overall with the win.
The main problem for CSU Stanislaus was that whenever they pressured one Humboldt State player, another was ready to step in. The balanced offense resulted in Humboldt State's second highest point total of the season, with the highest total coming the previous night in a 97-93 win over Chico State. Five 'Jacks players finished the night in double figures, with Peal leading the way with 22 points and adding 11 rebounds. Each starter had at least nine points. Junior forward Nick Green was the leading contributor off the bench for the 'Jacks, scoring 10 points and grabbing three rebounds.
CSU Stanislaus had four players in double-digit points but the rest of the team managed to contribute only 15 in the loss, which dropped the Warriors to 3-12 overall and 2-6 in the CCAA. The main problem for the Warriors was their slow start. They proved in the second half that they can score points. However, the 'Jacks' lead was too great to overcome in just 20 minutes.
With CSU Stanislaus out of the way, the 'Jacks can concentrate on the anticipated first-place match up against the CSU San Bernardino Coyotes. Before the 'Jacks face the Coyotes on Saturday, they will travel to Cal Poly Pomona to battle the Broncos on Friday.
The following week the 'Jacks will return to the East Gym to face the CSU Dominguez Hills Toros and the CSU Los Angeles Golden Eagles. The games, which will be held next Friday and Saturday, both begin at 7:30 p.m.
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