ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Sonoma State secured a must-win victory over Humboldt State Friday night, as they downed the Lumberjacks 65-57 in their hunt for the final CCAA Tournament playoff spot.
 
"It feels amazing," said senior guard Carly Gill of the victory, post-game. "I definitely had to step up as one of the seniors and one of the leaders, so it feels great to lead my team out there."
 
Gill, one of three Sonoma State women to put in a double-digit performance, led the Seawolves throughout the game, picking up 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals on the night, shooting 50 percent from the field while going 8-9 from the line.
 
The Seawolves opened the game on their front foot, building their way to a nine-point lead before the end of the first quarter. Jessica Mitz, who finished the game with 14 points, earned seven in the opening period.
 
However, Humboldt turned things around in the second quarter and took off on a 16-7 run through the break, turning a five-point Seawolf lead into a six-point Seawolf deficit. After the break Sonoma State flipped the script again as Gill and Mitz continued to contribute through the third quarter. With a single layup to start the fourth, Ugochi Anudokem put the Seawolves on level footing before Madison Burroughs took off.
 
Over the next 6:51, the senior guard put up 11 points to lead a 20-12 run, at one point pushing the Seawolves out to their biggest margin of the night—11 points—before securing the 65-57 victory.
 
"Humboldt's no joke. They're number three in the conference," continued Gill after the game. "It [gives] us great momentum beating a number three team going into Chico, who we haven't seen this year. Having that confidence is going to be really, really key to keep this momentum going to the next one"
 
The ball is in the Seawolves' court tomorrow night as they face off against 13-8 Chico State on senior night from the Wolves' Den. With a win, the Seawolves would automatically qualify for the eighth and final spot in the CCAA Tournament, eliminating Cal State San Bernardino from post-season contention. Should they fall to Chico however, the Seawolves post-season berth would depend on second-place Cal Poly Pomona defeating the Coyotes tomorrow, from Pomona.
 
The Seawolves and Wildcats tip at 5:30pm tomorrow night.