Photo by Elliot Portillo/Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics – Riley Sanz

Round one went to the Wildcats.

On Thursday night, the Cal Poly Humboldt women’s basketball team welcomed Chico State to Lumberjack Arena with the California Collegiate Athletic Association lead on the line, and it was the visitors who prevailed in thrilling fashion.

Chico’s Meadow Aragon, who reached 1,000 career points nine minutes into the second quarter, would cap a memorable night with a game-winning buzzer beater in overtime to seal a 61-59 win .

The two teams will face off again in Chico on Saturday.

The loss ended a seven-game winning streak for the Jacks, who dropped to 8-1 in the CCAA and 10-5 overall, while Chico remained unbeaten in conference play, improving to 9-0 and 13-2.

Later in the night, the Cal Poly Humboldt men would gain a measure of revenge with a thrilling 78-77 win that capped an exciting night for the fans in attendance.

Wayne Hampton III’s game-winning 3-pointer in the final second sealed the win for the home team, which overcame a seven-point deficit in the final minute in what was a finish for the ages for the Jacks.

Riley Sanz enjoyed a big night for the CPH women, recording the first double-double of her career with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. 

The sophomore added three assists and two steals while logging 43 minutes in the tightly contested battle.

Humboldt came out firing in the opening quarter, jumping to a 20-7 lead behind efficient shooting and strong defensive pressure.

The Jacks held Chico State to just 18.8 percent shooting in the first frame and carried a double-digit advantage into the second quarter.

The Wildcats chipped away before halftime and took control briefly in the third quarter, setting up a back-and-forth second half that featured six ties and nine lead changes. 

Humboldt responded in the fourth quarter, erasing deficits and forcing overtime after a defensive stand late in regulation.

In the extra period, both teams traded baskets until Chico State connected on the game-winner at the buzzer.

Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics

Former St. Bernard’s standout Laila Florvilus made her return to the North Coast with Chico, but the freshman, who has seen limited action this winter as she adjusts to the collegiate game, did not feature.

With the loss, the Lumberjacks dropped into third in the conference standings, one win behind co-leaders Chico and Cal Poly Pomona.

The Humboldt men, meanwhile, improved to 6-3 in the CCAA and 8-7 overall with the win, while Chico dropped to 4-5 and 6-8.

Hampton was spectacular down the stretch and finished with 17 points, eight assists, and four rebounds, while former Arcata Tiger Brandon Bento-Jackson added eight points, three assists, and two steals.

Chico State came out firing, racing to an early lead and going up by as many as 11 in the first half, but Humboldt would respond with a strong closing stretch before the break, tying the game at 36-36 heading into halftime.

The game featured 11 lead changes and six ties, with neither team able to create separation until the frantic final minute. 

The Humboldt and Chico men will also play at Chico on Saturday.

The women tip off at 1 p.m., followed by the men at 3.