POCATELLO, Idaho -- In a game that featured 21 lead changes, 10 ties and seven replay reviews, Sacramento State outlasted Idaho State, 70-65, on Monday afternoon at Reed Gym. The victory avenged a 57-56 overtime loss to the Bengals yesterday as the two teams played on back-to-back days as part of Big Sky Conference play.

No team led by more than five points the entire game, but it was the Hornets who led for nearly 23 minutes compared to nine minutes for Idaho State. Sacramento State did not trail the final 4:52 of the contest, and went 9-for-10 from the free throw line over the final 33 seconds to seal the victory.

A brief 5-0 spurt which included an Ethan Esposito turnaround jumper and a Samaad Hector 3-pointer erased a one-point deficit and gave Sacramento State a 59-55 lead with 4:28 remaining. Idaho State would get no closer than within two points of that lead the rest of the way as the Hornets buried clutch free throws late. That includes William FitzPatrick going 6-for-6 from the line over a 26-second span, the fifth and sixth of those makes coming with seven seconds remaining and giving the Hornets a 68-63 lead.

The win allowed Sacramento State to improve to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Sky. The Hornets are now 3-1 in the Big Sky for the first time since the 2014-15 team accomplished the feat. That 2014-15 squad finished with 21 wins, including a 13-5 mark in league. Idaho State had its four-game winning streak snapped while falling to 7-6 overall and 4-2 in the Big Sky. Sacramento State has won three of the last four meetings in Pocatello despite yesterday's overtime loss.

Four Hornets scored in double figures, and two set new career highs. That included Esposito, who scored a career-best 26 points to go along with seven rebounds and a career-high four assists. The senior forward went 9-for-16 from the field, 2-for-2 from the 3-point line and 6-of-7 from charity stripe. Fourteen of his points came in the second half before fouling out with 2:08 remaining.

FitzPatrick set his career best with 15 points on 3-of-8 shooting from the 3-point stripe and 6-for-6 from the line. He also grabbed a career-high six rebounds, and 12 of his points came in the second half. Other Hornets in double figures were Hector (11 points, six rebounds) and guard Brandon Davis (10 points, two assists). Hector converted on perhaps the biggest field goal of the game as his 3-pointer at the 4:28 mark gave Sacramento State a two-possession lead and a semblance of breathing room.

After shooting just 36% in the first half, the Hornets shot 55% in the second half on the way to 43% (23-53) from the field, 53% (9-17) from the 3-point line and 79% (15-19) from the free throw line. The nine 3-balls were one shy of a season high, and the Hornets scored 41 second-half points after putting up 29 before halftime. Sacramento State committed just six turnovers and held a 10-2 advantage in points off miscues. One day after shooting just 7-for-15 from the free throw line, the Hornets used the charity stripe to their advantage in today's win.

Bryce Fowler, who entered today averaging 13.2 ppg, was limited to just two points, but had five assists. Sacramento State played both games against Idaho State without an ailing Christian Terrell who is the team's second leading scorer at 14.8 ppg. David Jones had four points and two rebounds, and Spencer Monteiro delivered the final dagger with two free throws with two seconds remaining.

For Idaho State, Tarik Cook had 19 points while Robert Ford III posted 16 points.

Sacramento State will finally return home for a pair of home games later this week vs. Montana. The Hornets and Grizzlies will play on Thursday at 5 p.m., and Saturday at 11 a.m. The Hornets have not played inside the Nest since a win over Fresno Pacific on Jan. 3.