Box Score: Humboldt State 86, Sonoma State 74

ROHNERT PARK, Calif- Senior Mike Nelson scored a season-high 14 points and Sonoma State hit 50 percent of its shots, but Humboldt State pulled away late to grab the 86-74 victory over the Seawolves on Sunday afternoon at The Wolves' Den in Rohnert Park. Sonoma State suffers a season sweep at the hands of the Lumberjacks, falling to 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the CCAA. HSU improves to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

Both teams endured three ties and six lead changes throughout the opening half, but it was Sonoma State who took an early six-point lead at 13-7 at the 14:37 mark. Humboldt State answered and grabbed its largest lead of the first half six minutes later, taking a 33-26 lead with eight minutes to play in the half. The Seawolves chipped away and get to within one point at 37-36 with under two minutes left, but the 'Jacks pushed out to a 45-41 halftime lead.

The 86 combined points between the two squads was the product of a three-point shootout as both teams converted 13 shots from beyond the three-point line, eight of which came out of the hands of Humboldt State players. Sonoma State's Nelson had three of the five Seawolf three-balls, as he scored 11 of his 14 points in the opening period. Despite the disadvantage on the scoreboard, SSU hit better than half its shots, connecting on 55.2 percent from the floor (16-29). HSU converted just under 50 percent, hitting 12 of 25 shots from the field (48.0 percent).

Humboldt State held its lead for the majority of the second half, but a three-pointer by Ben Washington with 6:30 left in the contest put the Sonoma State up 70-69. The two teams traded buckets and after the Seawolves took a 72-71 lead with 5:18 left, the Lumberjacks closed out the game on a 15-2 run to complete the season sweep of SSU.

The Lumberjacks had six of its eight players who saw action on Sunday afternoon score in double-figures. Humboldt was led by the 21 points and ten rebounds of Randy Baxter.

It was the disadvantage at the free throw line that doomed Sonoma State, though. Humboldt State hit 24 of 34 shots from the charity stripe when SSU hit only 8 of 18 attempts from the line in the contest. It contrasted a big night from the floor for the Seawolves, who continued to light up the net. SSU finished 50 percent from the floor on 29 of 58 shooting, including 8 of 19 from three-point land. HSU landed 49.1 percent.

Nelson's 14 was complemented by James Sandoval and Matthew French, who both scored 10 points. Sandoval led the team with just six rebounds, as the Seawolves were outrebounded on the glass, 36-28.

Sonoma State will look to host the defending national champion Cal Poly Pomona Broncos on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at The Wolves' Den.