Big Sky Conference standings

SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State scored a season-high 81 points, never trailed, and had a 21-2 advantage in second chance points on the way to a convincing 81-52 win over Montana State on Thursday evening inside the Nest.

The 29-point margin of victory was the second largest against a Big Sky Conference opponent since the program joined the league in 1996, trailing only a 77-43 home win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 28, 2012. The Hornets posted season highs in points (81), 3-pointers (11) and assists (22), and turned 22 MSU turnovers into a massive 32 points. The Hornets had a 17-point lead at half (36-19) and Sacramento State proceeded to score 45 more points in the second half. In addition, Sacramento State held a 37-25 advantage in the rebounding department, including 14 offensive boards.

The Hornets jumped out to a 7-0 lead as Montana State's first points did come until the 15:28 mark of the first half. Sacramento State stretched that lead to 10 points on a Bryce Fowler 3-pointer with 4:36 left in the first half, and the Hornets led by double figures the rest of the way. At one point, Sacramento State held a 34-point lead in the second half before settling for the 29-point victory.

The Hornets won for the fourth time in their last six games while improving to 15-12 overall and 8-10 in the Big Sky. In addition, the Hornets reached the 10-win mark at home for the fifth time in eight years while improving to 10-3 inside the Nest (including 6-3 in league games).

The Hornets have now reached the 15-victory mark for just the fourth time in the Div. I era (1991-pres.) -- 15-15 in 2005-06, 21-12 in 2014-15, and 15-16 in 2018-19. A win on Saturday against Montana would give Sacramento State its 16th win, which would rank as the second most in the Div. I era.

More importantly, the Hornets moved up in the conference standings and now sit in seventh place with just two games left in the regular season. The top five seeds in the Big Sky Tournament (March 11-14 in Boise) receive a first round bye, and the Hornets are just 1.5 games back of the fifth spot (Portland State is 9-8).

Montana State dropped to 14-14 overall and 8-9 in league with the loss. The Bobcats have lost three straight after sitting at 8-6 in conference play two weeks ago. Sacramento State is now 15-11 all-time when playing Montana State inside the Nest.

Sacramento State attempted 25 more shots from the field than Montana State, and finished the game 47% (28-60) from the field, 48% (11-23) from the 3-point line and 74% (14-19) from the free throw line. The Bobcats converted on just 15 made buckets and went 21-for-33 from the free throw line.

The Hornets had four players score in double figures, including junior Bryce Fowler who had 16 points (4-for-7 from 3PT line), seven rebounds, seven assists, zero turnovers and a +28 in plus/minus in a game-best 32 minutes played. Joshua Patton added 13 points, eight rebounds and a +33 plus/minus, Osi Nwachukwu posted 12 points, six rebounds and three steals, and Chibueze Jacobs recorded 11 points and six rebounds.

Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa had nine points, five assists and three steals, Ethan Esposito nine points and two steals, and Brandon Davis six points, five assists and a blocked shot. Twelve Hornets appeared in tonight's game, including William FitzPatrick (3 points), Jordan Cooke-Harper (2 points), Spencer Monteiro (3 rebounds), Grant Greabell (2 assists) and James Bridges (1 assist, 1 steal).

The Hornets will play their final home game of the regular season on Saturday against Montana at 7:05 p.m. Prior to the game, Hornet seniors Jacobs, Mauriohooho-Le'afa, Nwachukwu and Patton will be honored for their contributions to the program.