SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento State made its Golden 1 Center debut on Tuesday night, taking on Causeway rivals UC Davis. Despite the excitement surrounding the program's first game on the court at Golden 1, the Hornets fell to the Aggies, 75-46.

With the loss, the Hornets fall to 2-3. UC Davis improves to 2-2.

Sacramento State got off to a slow start on Tuesday night, making just two of its 15 first quart attempts. The Aggies, who were picked to finish atop the Big West, capitalized on the slow start, climbing to a 16-5 lead by the end of the first period.

The Hornets shooting struggles continued, however, and the team shot just 23.3% in the first half (7-30), including 23.1% (3-13) from three.

Things picked up for the Sacramento State offense in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including a 2-for-5 showing from distance. By then, however, the damage had been done and the deficit too great to overcome.

The fourth quarter continues to be the best period for Sacramento State, as the Hornets have now scored 102 points in the fourth quarter. The team averages better than 25 points in the fourth this year.

In total, the stout UC Davis defense held Sacramento State to a season-low 28.1% (16-57) shooting percentage from the floor, as well as a season-low 21.7% (5-23) effort from beyond the arc.

Conversely, the Aggies had their best overall performance of the year, setting season highs in field goal percentage, field goals made, and points among others.

Individually, Lianna Tillman and Summer Menke led all players in Tuesday's game with 18 and 16 points, respectively.

For Tillman, the senior guard scored her 18 on 8-for-21 shooting while adding one rebound, one steal, and one assist.

Summer Menke finished with her first double-double of the season, pulling in a game-high 10 rebounds in addition to her 16 points. Three of her boards came off the offensive glass and the senior guard was an excellent 7-for-8 from the free throw line.

Tuesday night saw the return of junior Jordan Olivares, one of the team's top defenders, after an extended absence due to injury. Olivares played 19-plus minutes and finished with five points, three rebounds, two steals, and an assist.

Tuesday night's game was the last before an extended stretch on the road for Sacramento State. After three straight at home, then a game at Golden 1, the Hornets will play their next six games on the road.

Up first is a Thanksgiving weekend tournament on the road at UC Irvine. The Hornets will face the Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday, Nov. 27 before taking on the host UC Irvine Anteaters on Sunday, Nov. 28. Both games will tip off at 2:30 p.m.

For more details on this weekend's holiday tournament, including links to watch the team live and for tickets, be sure to visit the Sacramento State women's basketball schedule online at HornetSports.com.

- HornetSports.com -