CPH Men Dominate Weekend Games in Rocklin

Cal Poly Humboldt Men’s Basketball Team Secures First Two Wins of the Season

The Cal Poly Humboldt men’s basketball team made a strong start to the season, securing its first two victories this past weekend at the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic hosted by Jessup University in Rocklin. The Lumberjacks defeated Northwest Nazarene on Friday with a final score of 65-64 and then went on to beat the host team, Jessup, in double overtime with a score of 85-80. Rob Jenkins, a standout player for the Jacks, was honored as the CCAA Player of the Week for his outstanding performances.

A Dramatic Opening Win

The first win in head coach DJ Broome's career came in dramatic fashion, as the Jacks needed Jenkins' late free throws and a defensive stand to secure the victory. Cal Poly outrebounded the Nighthawks 42-29, with 15 second-chance points, and held them to just 21% shooting from beyond the arc. Zaveion Bineyard led all scorers for Humboldt with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while Jenkins contributed 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Shakir Odunewu added nine points and nine rebounds.

Overcoming Fatigue and Securing Another Victory

In their second contest of the weekend, the Jacks showed resilience in overcoming any lingering fatigue that Coach Broome had after a pair of losses last week. Jenkins hit two crucial shots at the end of regulation and the first overtime to keep the game alive before securing another win. Drew Ardouin finished with 32 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including five three-pointers, while Jenkins chipped in 28 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Bineyard had 11 rebounds.

In a back-and-forth contest, Jenkins sank a three-pointer at the tail end of regulation to send the game into overtime, followed by a driving two at the end of the first overtime to force another stanza. The Lumberjacks shot 45.3% from the field and 78.3% from the free-throw line, improving their record to 2-2 on the young season.

Coach Broome Reflects on Key Moments

When asked about the 16-2 run after the half that allowed the Jacks to climb back atop the game in their tourney opener, Coach Broome emphasized the importance of defense. “I think obviously Friday, but the theme of the whole weekend and why we were able to have success was that we defended,” he said. “I think we put together 40-minute efforts playing team defense, had some really good individual efforts as well, which took them out of what they wanted to do, and we were getting stops, getting out in transition, and finding some easy buckets.”

Bineyard was praised for his performance against Nazarene, playing the entire second half with 22 points. He also played a key role defensively, with a strong presence on the glass. Shakir Odunewu was also noted for his defensive efforts, particularly in disrupting the opponent’s offensive plays.

Tournament Dynamics and Future Outlook

The tournament featured teams from different conferences, with Cal Poly Humboldt being the only team to go 2-0. Coach Broome highlighted the challenges of the Jessup game, noting that it felt like one they could have won in regulation but that they are still learning to finish down the stretch.

Looking ahead, the Jacks will face Alaska Anchorage on Friday and Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday. While the trip is challenging, Coach Broome remains optimistic, emphasizing the need for continued focus on defense, rebounding, and bench contributions.

Women’s Basketball Team Faces Tough Loss

Meanwhile, the women’s basketball team faced a tough loss on the road to Biola, 61-54. Kyori Lloyd was a standout performer for the Jacks, scoring 21 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Jordyn Smith added 13 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Despite leading 18-17 after the first quarter, the Jacks struggled in the second half, going 0-for-8 from three-point range.

Head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson expressed disappointment in the loss, noting that the team didn’t play its best basketball. She acknowledged the contributions of Lloyd and Smith but emphasized the need for more balanced production from the squad.

Looking ahead, the women’s team has one more non-conference game before conference play begins, with a matchup against Jessup scheduled for Saturday.