File photo

After waiting more than six years to beat Cal Poly Pomona, the Cal Poly Humboldt men’s basketball team has now posted back-to-back victories over their conference rivals.

On Thursday afternoon, the Jacks faced the Mustangs in their California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament opener at San Marcos and won 70-52.

The win was the fourth straight for the Humboldt men, who improved to 18-10, and sets up a tournament semifinal showdown against No. 1 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday afternoon.

The Jacks, who are seeded fourth for the tournament after tying Pomona for fourth in the regular-season standings, took control of Thursday’s game with a big first half and carried a comfortable 12-point (38-26) lead into the break.

However, the Pomona men would battle back in the second half and narrowed the deficit to just two points.

But the Jacks would close out the stronger of the two teams and outscored their opponents 32-26 for the period to take the comfortable win.

It was the program’s first postseason win since 2016.

The always dangerous Rob Diaz III led the way offensively for Humboldt and scored a game-high 24 points, including three 3-pointers.

Mason Marsai also had a big game for the Jacks and finished with a double-double, scoring 18 points and pulling down a team-high 10 rebounds.

The CPH men had three players finish in double-digits in scoring.

Kalib LaCount added 15 points and a team-best five assists.

Aidan Fowler chipped in seven points and four assists and Josiah Sanders finished with six points and also had three blocks.

The Jacks split two regular-season games with Dominguez Hills, handing the No. 18 team in the nation one of just two conference losses.

They defeated the Toros 90-80 at Lumberjack Arena in late January and lost 70-65 at Dominguez Hills in the rematch in late February.

Friday’s game is set for 2:30 p.m. and will be streamed live at https://www.flocollege.com/live/157866 and broadcast live on local ESPN radio at 107.3 FM.

Chico State and Cal State San Bernardino will platy in the other tournament semifinal on Friday after the latter defeated Cal State LA 98-63 on Thursday.

Saturday’s championship game is set for 5 p.m.

File photo – Rob Diaz III