SACRAMENTO -- In a game that featured lots of action and plenty of highlight reel plays, Sacramento State fell at home to Montana, 79-71, in front a jam packed Nest on Saturday evening. The facility seats just 1,012 patrons, and an over-capacity crowd of 1,172 packed into the Nest for Senior Night.

Montana, however, was too tough, as the Grizzlies shot 58% (29-50) from the field, 50% (7-14) from the 3-point line and 70% (14-20) from the free throw line while holding a commanding 17-8 advantage in points off turnovers and 15-6 in fast break points. Sacramento State also shot well (52% from the field), but connected on just 4-of-14 from the 3-point line. The Hornets held a 32-24 advantage in the rebounding department and turned eight offensive rebounds into eight second chance points.

The Grizzlies led for nearly 30 minutes of game clock, opening up a lead as large as 15 points midway through the second half. However, Sacramento State eventually used an 11-0 run to erase a 59-48 deficit and tie things at 59-59 with 5:31 to play. The Grizzlies responded by  scoring on three of their next four possessions (including a pair of three-point plays) to go up, 67-61, with 3:49 left. Sacramento State got no closer than four points of that deficit the rest of the way.

Montana won for the seventh time in the last eight games while improving to 18-11 overall and 14-4 in league. The Grizzlies are currently tied for first place with Eastern Washington in the conference standings.

Sacramento State, which had won four of six prior to tonight, dropped to 15-13 overall, 8-11 in conference play and 10-4 at home. With one game left in the regular season (at Portland State next Saturday), the Hornets could finish anywhere between sixth and ninth place depending on how next week shakes out. Sacramento State is the only team in the 11-member league that does not play on Thursday of next week. The Hornets were eliminated from a top five placing and subsequent bye in the Big Sky Tournament in Boise on March 11-14.

Tonight was the final home game of the regular season, and Hornet seniors Chibueze Jacobs, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa, Osi Nwachukwu and Joshua Patton were honored prior to the game. All four played well tonight, including Nwachukwu who tied his career high with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field, 1-for-1 from distance and 3-for-4 from the free throw line. He also added six rebounds and three steals. It was the career-high fourth straight games in double figure, and Nwachukwu is averaging 15.8 points over that span.

Patton poured in 19 points (6-6 FG, 7-10) and nine rebounds, Mauriohooho-Le'afa had 15 points (5-11 FG, 3-5 3FG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and a pair of steals, and Jacobs posted two points, two rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocked shots.

Bryce Fowler added eight points and six assists, and Ethan Esposito posted seven points and five rebounds.

For Montana, Sayeed Pridgett had a huge game, registering a game-high 24 points (9-15 FG, 6-8 FT) as well as six rebounds, five assists and four steals. Fifteen of those points came in the second half.

The Hornets conclude the regular season next Saturday on the road at Portland State. Tip is 7:05 p.m.