ARCATA, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team took down Humboldt State, 74-70, on the road in California Collegiate Athletic Associtation (CCAA) play on Thursday night.
 
Following the win, CSUSM improves to 19-6 overall and 14-5 in conference play while the Lumberjacks fall to 9-16, 6-13 CCAA. CSUSM is currently tied with Chico State for second place in the CCAA.
 
The Cougars were recently ranked No. 8 in the first NCAA DII West Region Poll of the season.
 
Senior Josh Spiers hit a season-best eight 3-pointers on 10-of-20 shooting for a game-high 28 points. Senior Joe Boyd nearly missed his ninth double-double of the season with 16 points and eight rebounds. Playing all 40 minutes, senior Ethan Alvano finished with 12 points and a game-high seven assists.
 
CSUSM took a 41-28 lead into halftime after shooting 48.5 percent from the field while the Jacks shot just 33.3 percent in the opening half.
 
The Cougars struggled to find the bottom of the net in the second half after shooting just 31.03 (9-of-29) while HSU went 14-of-25 (56.0). The Jacks erased a once 16-point deficit to as small as just one point at 60-59 with 4:43 remaining in regulation.
 
A costly HSU turnover with time winding down led to a foul and Alvano sinking two free throws with 2 seconds remaining to secure the win for CSUSM.
 
CSUSM outrebounded the Jacks 37-35 including 14-9 on the offensive glass.
 
The Cougars forced 10 HSU turnovers and outscored the Jacks 19-7 on points off turnovers for the game.
 
Kameron Curl was HSU's leading scorer with 18 points in 34 minutes.
 
The Cougars will continue their northern trip with a showdown against Chico State on Saturday, Feb. 17. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. This is the final regular season road game of the season for CSUSM.