TUCSON, Ariz. -- Playing a nationally ranked opponent for just the 16th time since joining the Div. I ranks in 1991, Sacramento State was no match for 17th-ranked Arizona on Saturday evening at the McKale Center.

One of the hottest teams in the nation, the Wildcats improved to 6-0 while defeating the Hornets, 105-59. Arizona, which has more size, length, tempo and speed than Sacramento State, was coming off an 18-point win over fourth-ranked Michigan a week ago. There was no letdown this evening as the Wildcats have now defeated five of their six opponents by 18 points or more.

The Hornets are now 0-16 vs. ranked opposition, and were playing their highest ranked opponent since falling to No. 13 Gonzaga by a 104-58 score to open the 2014-15 season.

Sacramento State (3-3), which was coming off a 12-point win over rival UC Davis on Tuesday, was playing the second of three Pac-12 Conference opponents this season. The Hornets already suffered a loss at Utah earlier this year, and also have a date at Oregon State on Dec. 11. Of the nine non-league games the Hornets will play this year, four will come against Big West teams, three vs. the Pac-12, and two against non-Div. I opposition.

Despite the loss, Sacramento State finds itself in a good place heading into Big Sky Conference play next week. The Hornets already have a road win (Cal Poly), a victory against its biggest rival (UC Davis), and two of the team's three losses have come against the Pac-12. The Hornets will host both Montana schools next week, including Montana on Thursday, and Montana State on Saturday.

Arizona, which entered the game first in the nation in assists per game, did everything well tonight. That included a whopping 31 assists on 38 made buckets. The Wildcats shot 54% (38-70) from the field, 53% (9-17) from the 3-point line and 77% (20-26) from the free throw line. They outrebounded the Hornets, 48-25, and held substantial advantages in points in the paint (54-24), fast break points (26-11), points off turnovers (21-9), second chance points (17-7) and bench points (51-24). The Hornets finished with 17 turnovers, snapping a streak of 26 straight games with 13 miscues or less.

The Wildcats' only deficit was 3-2 in the early going. A 9-0 run pushed Arizona's lead from 8-5 to 17-5, and the team led by double digits the final 32:29 of the contest. Sacramento State shot 36% (22-61) from the field, 37% (7-19) from the 3-point line and 73% (8-11) from the free throw line.

For Sacramento State, forward Cameron Wilbon led the way with 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting from the field and 2-of-2 from the 3-point line. He was joined in double figures by Bryce Fowler who finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists. It marked the first time this season Fowler, who entered the game averaging 16.2 ppg, has not led the Hornets in scoring.

All 13 of Sacramento State's active players received minutes, and 10 of them cracked the scoring column. Teiano Hardee had seven points and four rebounds, Zach Chappell six points, and Hugo Clarkin six points. Marcus Greene and Theo Seng added four points. Tonight marked the Hornet debut of Xavier Ford (4 minutes) who missed the first five games with injury. Rick Barros III and Akili Evans both did not play because of injury.

Five Arizona players scored in double figures, led by Azuolas Tubelis (22 points, 9-13 fg, 6 rebounds) and Christian Koloko (20 points, 8-10 fg, 7 rebounds)

Sacramento State will now jump into Big Sky play next week. The schedule will see the Hornets host the Montana schools next week - Thursday vs. Montana at 7 pm, Saturday vs. Montana State at 1 pm. - before heading back into non-league play the following two weeks. The game on Saturday vs. Montana State was originally a 7 p.m. start, but was moved to 1 p.m. to accommodate the Hornet Football team's home playoff game that same day (Dec. 4) at 6 p.m.