SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento State put together an electrifying 18-2 run midway through the fourth quarter to take a late lead over the Big Sky-leading Idaho State Bengals, but the lead wasn't meant to last as the Hornets fell in the Nest on Saturday, 77-70.

With the loss, Sacramento State falls to 0-9 overall on the season and 0-6 in the Big Sky. Idaho State improves to 10-1 while remaining perfect in league play at 8-0.

Saturday's fourth-quarter run started with six and a half minutes remaining in the game and the Hornets trailing by 15, 63-48.

Jessica Rios kicked off the run by draining a corner three from just in front of the Hornets' bench. She followed that immediately with a steal, her first of the game, before Summer Menke was fouled on a three-point attempt. She made all three free throws, making it a 63-54 game.

It was then Sarah Abney stepping up for the Hornets and ripping off three straight triples, all from nearly the same spot on the far side of the arc, to pull the Hornets even with the Bengals, 63-63. Jazzy Carrasco assisted on the first and third of Abney's three pointers while Neysa Munguia made an excellent pass to connect with Abney on the second.  

After the Bengals finally snapped their drought with a layup, Carrasco took her turn, putting the cap on the 18-2 run with a corner three from in front of the Hornets bench. Carrasco's triple put the Hornets ahead, 66-65, with just over three minutes left to play.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, the magic started to wane from there as Idaho State outscored Sacramento State, 12-4 the rest of the way.

Despite the final outcome, Saturday's matinee matchup was one of Sacramento State's best performances of the year. The Hornets shot a season-high 42.9% (24-56) from the floor and 36.7% (11-30) from three, their second-best mark of the season. The 11 made threes are also tied for most in a game this season by the Hornets.

In addition to the strong shooting performance, Sacramento State had one of its best rebounding games of the season. Although they had just 31 total, they also gave up just 31 rebounds to Idaho State. Further, the Hornets won the battle on the offensive boards, collecting 11 offensive rebounds to Idaho State's nine. Just two days ago, Idaho State outrebounded the Hornets, 56-32. 

Offensively, Abney finished with 17 points on the afternoon, matching her career high for the second game in a row. She was 7-for-14 from the floor and 3-for-8 from distance. She also pulled in five rebounds.

Three other Hornets finished in double figures, including Tiana Johnson, who had 12 points and a team-leading eight rebounds. Summer Menke finished with 11 points and six rebounds while also adding three assists. Lastly, Jordan Olivares touched 10 points on Saturday while tying for the team lead with four assists before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter.

Carrasco was the other Hornet to finish with four assists. In total, Sacramento State finished with 14, its second most in a game this season.

Saturday's game was the second of two against Idaho State, who remains undefeated in Big Sky play this season. The Hornets have another tough test ahead as they travel to Montana to take on the Lady Griz in Missoula. Coming off a Saturday loss at Northern Arizona, Montana is 5-4 overall and 2-2 in Big Sky play.

The two teams first face off on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. PT and again on Saturday at 9 a.m. PT. As with all Big Sky Conference contests, both games will stream live on Pluto.TV. For links to watch and other information on all upcoming games, be sure to visit the Sacramento State women's basketball homepage online at HornetSports.com.