Humboldt Women’s Basketball Clinches Conference Tourney Berth with Two Wins

What a week for college basketball. The Cal Poly Humboldt women’s basketball team didn’t just score two big wins—they locked up a spot in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) postseason tournament.

The Lumberjacks made a statement with a huge victory over Cal State East Bay, then battled hard to top San Francisco State. This marks their first trip to the conference tournament since the 2019-20 season.

Dominant Performance Against Cal State East Bay

The Lumberjacks started the week strong, crushing Cal State East Bay 101-63. Their offense and defense both clicked, and it was obvious from the opening tip.

They kept turnovers to a minimum and shot the lights out. That’s a recipe for a lopsided win.

Offensive Brilliance

Humboldt shot 49% from the field, 48% from three, and 84% at the line. Shade Satica put on a show, dropping 22 points and making all 11 of her free throws.

Jordyn Smith wasn’t far behind, finishing with 19 points and 14 boards. Leamsi Acuna and Sienna Cherwinski both hit key shots from deep, giving the offense extra punch.

Defensive Excellence

On defense, the Lumberjacks just didn’t let up. They forced 26 turnovers and limited the Pioneers to 41% shooting overall and only 31% from three.

The team racked up 19 steals, with Satica leading the way—she set a new career high in both steals and assists. That kind of defensive pressure made all the difference.

Hard-Fought Victory Over San Francisco State

After that blowout, Humboldt had to grind out a tougher win against San Francisco State. The Lumberjacks pulled off a 61-53 victory, which sealed their spot in the CCAA postseason tournament.

Consistent Contributions

Jordyn Smith led again with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. Kya Kanoho came off the bench and chipped in 11 points.

Riley Sanz added six points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Getting production from so many players really helped in a close game.

Defensive Prowess

Humboldt’s defense stayed tough. They held San Francisco State under 37% shooting from both the field and beyond the arc.

Satica filled the stat sheet again, finishing with 13 points, six rebounds, and six steals. The team’s defensive intensity kept them in control.

Looking Ahead: Key Matchups and Tournament Preparation

With their tournament spot locked up, the Lumberjacks now look to finish the regular season strong. The schedule isn’t letting up, and a big test awaits against conference leader Cal Poly Pomona.

Upcoming Games

• San Bernardino: The Lumberjacks hit the road to face San Bernardino on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
• Cal Poly Pomona: Saturday brings a huge matchup at 1 p.m. against Cal Poly Pomona, who sit atop the CCAA at 22-2 overall and 17-1 in conference.

Pomona is ranked No. 9 in the country. It’s a tough matchup, but Humboldt has already shown they can hang—they beat Pomona 57-56 at home back in January.

Team Focus and Strategy

Head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson stressed the need to stay focused and avoid getting comfortable just because they clinched a tournament spot. She wants the team to keep their energy high, stay consistent, and keep pushing on both ends of the floor.

*The message to the team was, yes, we clinched a spot in the tournament,* said Bento-Jackson. *However, I want us to stay in the present. That conference tournament is not for three more weeks, and the most important thing right now is that I keep them locked-in mentally and definitely not getting complacent.*

Conclusion

The Cal Poly Humboldt women’s basketball team has pulled off some impressive wins lately. Their grit and skill really stood out as they locked in a spot in the CCAA postseason tournament.

They took down Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State. Beating those teams isn’t easy, so it says a lot about where the Lumberjacks are right now.