SACRAMENTO -- Montana led for over 32 minutes of game clock, and received a whopping 55 points from its bench on the way to a 78-66 victory over Sacramento State on Thursday evening inside the Nest.

The Grizzlies saw three players come off the bench and score at least 12 points, including Kyle Owens (22), Robby Beasley (17) and Mack Anderson (12). In fact, Montana, which shot 26-of-30 from the free throw line, received just 23 points from its starters.

Montana used a 16-0 run midway through the first half, and eventually went into the break with a 33-25 lead. The Hornets tied the score on a pair of occasions in the second half, but could never get over the hump. After an Ethan Esposito jumper tied the score at 37-37, with 14 minutes left, Montana went on a 15-8 run to take a 52-45 lead. Sacramento State would get no closer than five points the rest of the way as the Grizzlies used a barrage of free throws late to push their lead to a game-high 15 points before settling for the 12-point win.

The 78 points are easily the most allowed by Sacramento State's defense this season, as the previous high was 65 by Idaho State on Monday. The Hornets entered the game ranked fifth in the nation in defense, yielding just 58.3 points per contest. Montana scored 45 points in the second half, and finished the game with 15 more makes from the free throw line than the Hornets.

With the loss, Sacramento State dropped to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big Sky. Montana has now defeated the Hornets on eight straight occasions, and bettered its record to 7-7 overall and 3-4 in league play. The Grizzlies could have a much better record in league, but all four conference losses have come by four points or less. These same two teams will wrap up their two-game series on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.

The loss was also the first inside the Nest this season for Sacramento State as the team had been 4-0 inside the friendly confines with each of those victories coming by 16 points or more. Today marked the Hornets' first home games since Jan. 3 against Fresno Pacific.

The loss overshadowed a brilliant performance from Esposito, as the senior forward finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. He is now averaging 21.8 ppg over his last four games, and has scored at least 14 points in each of the last seven games. Tonight's double-double was his third of the season, and he also finished with a steal and a blocked shot.

The Hornets shot 47% (25-53) from the field, 26% (5-19) from the 3-point line and 65% (11-17) from the free throw line. The Grizzlies shot 49% (24-49) from the floor, 4-of-13 from the 3-point line and 87% (26-30) from the charity stripe. Both teams had 29 rebounds, and the Grizzlies outscored the Hornet bench by a wide margin (55-10).

Joining Esposito in double figures for the Hornets were Bryce Fowler (13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals) and Brandon Davis (11 points, 2 assists). William FitzPatrick added eight points and a pair of 3-pointers. No other Hornet finished with more than three points.

Sacramento native Zach Chappell made his Hornet debut tonight after missing the first seven games with injury. The junior transfer from San Jose State finished with three points and a rebound while working his way back from the injury. Guard Christian Terrell  (14.8 ppg) missed his third straight game with injury.

After Sacramento State hosts Montana on Saturday at 11 a.m., the Hornets will play next week on the road on Thursday and Saturday at Eastern Washington.