SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento State never found its groove from the outside on Saturday, struggling from three-point range and falling to the visiting Eastern Washington Eagles, 73-61, to split the season series.  

The loss drops Sacramento State to 1-12 overall and 1-9 in the Big Sky. For Eastern Washington, the win snaps a three-game skid as the Eagles improve to 6-9 overall and 5-5 in league.

The two teams went back and forth early in the game, but after Eastern Washington took a 9-8 lead toward the end of the first quarter, the Eagles never looked back and led the rest of the way. A game-high 11-point run by the Eagles put the game out of reach early, though the Hornets refused to go quietly, eventually whittling the deficit down to 12 by the game's end.

Unlike Thursday's game, in which the Hornets went 10-for-34 from beyond the arc, Sacramento State's shots just wouldn't fall on Saturday. The team finished just 6-for-34 (17.6%) from beyond the arc. It was the Hornets second-lowest three-point percentage in a game so far this season.

Half of Saturday's made threes came courtesy of junior guard Summer Menke, who finished with her sixth double-double of the season and her third in as many games. During the last three games, Menke is averaging 17.6 points and 10.3 rebounds.

On Saturday, the Scottsdale native led all players in both scoring and rebounding on Saturday, putting up 20 points while pulling in 11 rebounds. Menke finished 8-for-18 overall, including 3-for-7 from three. Of her 11 rebounds, seven came off the offensive glass. For the year, Menke is now averaging 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds a game.

Sarah Abney also turned in a strong game for the Hornets, scoring 16 points while pulling in seven rebounds of her own. Abney's 16 points were one shy of her career high and came on 6-of-19 shooting (2-11 3PT).

The junior guard was especially effective late in the game, turning a number of offensive boards into points for the Hornets. In total, Abney finished with five offensive boards.

Overall, Sacramento State finished with a season-high 22 offensive rebounds, more than double Eastern Washington's nine. Despite the disparity, Sacramento State was unable to convert on as many of the second-chance opportunities as they could have, turning the 22 offensive boards into just 14 points.

In total, the Hornets won the rebound battle for the second straight game, 39-35. 

After the Hornets and Eagles combined for 39 fouls on Thursday, the two teams were whistled just a combined 19 times on Saturday. The teams finished close to even at the free throw line: 7-of-8 for the Hornets, 8-of-10 for the Eagles.

The shooting totals is where Saturday's biggest disparity was evident. In addition to outshooting the Hornets, 45%-17.6% from three, the Eagles outshot Sacramento State overall, 52.8% to 33.3%.

With the loss, the Hornets and Eagles split the season series for the second straight year.

The Hornets turn their attention next to Northern Arizona where they play next Thursday and Saturday. Sacramento State and Northern Arizona battled in a thrilling double-overtime contest in Flagstaff last year, although the Hornets ultimately came up short, 114-107. They'll look to avenge that loss with two games, Thursday and Saturday. 

Both games will stream live online on Pluto.TV on NAU's home channel. For more information and other content on Sacramento State women's basketball, be sure to visit the Hornet women's basketball homepage online at HornetSports.com.