Photo by Elliot Portillo/Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics – Brandon Bento-Jackson in action for the Lumberjacks this season.

Last year’s Big 5 co-MVP Brandon Bento-Jackson is having an immediate impact on the college basketball courts.

Former Arcata Tiger Brandon Bento-Jackson made his second start for the Cal Poly Humboldt men’s team at Western Oregon on Saturday and hit the game-winning basket with three seconds remaining.

The Jacks won the non-conference showdown 79-78.

Bento-Jackson’s late winner came after the Wolves went on a 6-0 run to take the lead.

The 2023 Arcata graduate scored a co-team-high 14 points, as did teammate Sage Wayans, as six different Humboldt players finished reached double digits in scoring in what was a balanced team performance.

The Jacks led 42-38 at halftime.

Bento-Jackson also had four rebounds and a pair of steals.

The freshman guard has appeared in all nine games for the Humboldt men this season and made his first start at Sonoma State last weekend, when he finished with six points.

His 14 points on Saturday was a season high.

For the season, Bento-Jackson is averaging seven points a game and he has nine assists and nine steals.

With the victory, which ended a four-game losing streak, Humboldt improved to 3-6 on the season.

The Jacks are 0-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Next up, the Humboldt men will play at Chico State on New Year’s Eve.