SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State had four players score in double figures, and used a huge second half, to defeat Idaho, 77-55, on Thursday evening inside the Nest.

The game marked the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams, and the Hornets and Vandals play again on Saturday morning in the Nest at 10:35 a.m.

After trailing at the half, 36-35, the Hornets outscored Idaho, 42-19, in a second half which saw the team shoot 57% (16-28) from the field, 3-for-6 from the 3-point line and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. A 22-7 second half run spanning eight minutes erased a five-point deficit and gave the Hornets a 57-47 lead with 10 minutes remaining. The Hornets led by double figures the rest of the way as the 22-point margin of victory was the program's largest in a Big Sky opener since joining the league in 1996.

Sacramento State (2-0, 1-0) was playing its second game of the season while tonight marked Idaho's season opener. The Vandals had three games canceled last week at a tournament hosted by Portland. After Saturday's game, both teams will jump back into non-league play and are not scheduled to play another conference game until after the New Year.

The Hornets, who opened with a home win last week against Bethesda, have now started a season 2-0 for the third consecutive year. The team won its Big Sky opener for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

After five players scored in double figures in the win over Bethesda, four more posted double digits tonight. Three of those players were seniors, including Christian Terrell (15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists), Ethan Esposito (16 points, 8 rebounds) and Bryce Fowler (15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds). Esposito had 12 of those points and six boards in the second half. After three dunks against Bethesda, Terrell added two more slams tonight, including a one-hand rip over Idaho's 6-foot-10 forward Tanner Christensen.

Making his Sacramento State debut, junior Deshaun Highler (East Los Angeles JC) had 11 points, three rebounds, three steals and was a massive +27 in plus/minus in 29 active minutes. Nine of those points came in the second half, and Highler finished the game 5-for-6 from the field and made his lone 3-point attempt. Another JC transfer, Samaad Hector (Lower Columbia JC) had nine points and eight rebounds (four offensive) in 18 minutes. The Hornets received 25 points from the bench, and Highler and Hector combined for 20 of those points. William FitzPatrick added six points, and true freshman David Jones had four rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.

Sacramento State finished the game shooting 51% (29-57) from the field and 78% (14-18) from the free throw line. Idaho had just three steals, and was forced into 17 turnovers. The Hornets had big advantages over the Vandals in points off turnovers (26-7), points in the paint (40-22) and second chance points (16-5).

Idaho closed the first half on a 13-3 run to take a one-point lead into halftime (36-35), and would later extend its lead to a game-high five points before the Hornets went on their big run and never looked back. The Vandals finished the game shooting 42% (21-50) from the field, 43% (6-14) from distance and 7-for-12 from the free throw line.

For the Hornets, Rick Barros III, Zach Chappell, Brandon Davis and Jalen Townsell each missed their second straight games because of injury. Barros is out for the season.

Sacramento State's first three games this season will come at home, including Saturday's contest vs. Idaho at 10:30 a.m. Reminder, no fans are allowed to be in attendance at all home games. Free video streams will be provided for all home games, and road games at a Big Sky venue. Next week, the Hornets jump back into non-league play at Santa Clara on Dec. 12. That game will likely be moved to a different location because of the current COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County.