Jacks win big in first home game

The Lumberjacks men’s basketball team won its first home game of the year in dominating fashion by dismantling the Pacific Union Pioneers 110-66.

Jacks junior forward Jack Kaub was perfect from the field, scoring 15 points on just seven shots while also adding five assists to an all-around great game. “To play like we did today was really good for us,” Kaub said. “It was definitely a confidence booster and if we play the right way and play as a team we can win a lot of games.”

Junior guard Tyras Rattler Jr. was 92.7 FM ESPN’s player of the game by scoring a double-double with 10 points, 10 boards and added six assists but Jacks head coach Steve Kinder especially appreciated Rattler for his contributions on the defensive side of the ball.

“His defensive stance out on the floor is as good as anybody that has put on a Lumberjack uniform in quite a while,” Kinder said. “He can really intimidate an opponent just by his stance and his quickness with his hands. That’s a stat that doesn’t show up.”

The Jacks did a great job of taking care of the paint and crashing boards, outrebounding the Pioneers by 17. This Jacks team is big and they’re ready to compete this season. Coach Kinder is excited by his squad’s all-around performance and the depth and size of the bench.

“Just your length on the floor,” Coach Kinder said. “Your ability to get tips, your ability to be in lanes and shorten the court defensively, makes a difference in the game of basketball.”

The Jacks bench made a huge difference in this game by outscoring the Pioneers reserves by 44 points. Jack’s junior forward Calvin Young II was the first man off the bench and didn’t miss a shot, leading all players with 16 points and adding two blocks.

The 3-point shot was landing for the Jacks as the team was repeatedly left open by the struggling Pioneers defense. The home team shot over 50 percent from three on 17 shots. Senior guard Ashton Pomrehn made four threes off the bench and junior guard Kameron Curl added three more to the Jacks total.

These Lumberjacks are high flyers and it was apparent on this night, especially for junior starting forward Davasyia Hagger, who was all over the court dunking on the Pioneers left and right. Hagger finished the game with 14 points and five boards on 66 percent from the field. With the Jacks new added size and athleticism, they should be exciting to watch this season.

The Jacks get ready this week to host rival Chico State on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Lumberjack Arena in a game that will be televised on ESPN3. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. and Jacks fans are encouraged to wear all white for the “White Out” themed game.

“I think this game in particular, “ Coach Kinder said. “Playing as hard as we did, taking charges, grabbing loose balls, saving the ball out of bounds, those types of things will generate some focus to prepare for Chico.”