Cal Poly Humboldt rallies from 22-point deficit to beat Pomona 85-81 OT

Cal Poly Humboldt erased a 22-point deficit in the first half and overcame a 10-point halftime hole to beat Cal Poly Pomona 85-81 in overtime at Lumberjack Arena, handing local fans one of the most electrifying nights of the season. The Jacks outscored Pomona 12-8 in the extra session to secure their third straight victory and seventh win in eight games.

The comeback on Jan 23 showcased depth and timely shooting. Rob Jenkins led Humboldt with 23 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added four steals. Reserve guard Drew Ardouin provided a major spark off the bench, finishing with 19 points including five 3-pointers. Humboldt climbed back from a large deficit through a combination of improved defensive pressure and hot outside shooting down the stretch.

The win moved the Jacks to 8-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and 10-7 overall, creating a two-way tie with Dominguez Hills for second place in the conference standings. That climb into contention reflects a sustained run of form: seven wins in eight games is a statistically significant hot streak that alters Humboldt’s postseason profile and strengthens its seeding prospects in the CCAA race.

College of the Redwoods suffered a contrasting result the same night, traveling to Feather River and falling 78-65. That loss marked CR's first conference defeat while Feather River improved to 4-0 in CVC play and 15-7 overall. The split results across Humboldt County programs underscore shifting balance in regional scheduling and raise stakes for remaining conference matchups.

Local impact goes beyond the scoreboard. A dramatic comeback at Lumberjack Arena tends to galvanize season-ticket interest, bolster concession and parking receipts on home game nights, and feed alumni engagement ahead of crucial February dates. On-court depth, evidenced by Jenkins and Ardouin, also matters for recruitment narratives and long-term program investment as athletic departments weigh travel budgets and facility priorities in tighter conference races.

Humboldt was scheduled to return to Lumberjack Arena on Saturday to host Cal State San Bernardino, a game that will test whether the Jacks can sustain their surge against another uphill opponent. For Humboldt County, the victory is both a morale lift and a concrete step in a campaign that could deliver postseason basketball to the North Coast, with corresponding economic and community benefits if the Jacks keep climbing.