SACRAMENTO -- Twelve different Hornets scored, including a game-high 17 points from Bryce Fowler, as Sacramento State cruised to a season-opening 89-59 win over William Jessup on Tuesday evening at the Nest.

This evening was not only Sacramento State's season opener, but also marked the first win in the tenure of interim head coach Brandon Laird who took over the reins from the recently retired Brian Katz. Laird immediately put his stamp on things, as Sacramento State used an energetic defensive effort to jump out to a 30-2 lead. In fact, the Warriors missed their first 18 shots from the field, and did not convert a field goal until the 9:37 mark of the first half.

The Hornets have now won eight of their last 11 openers, and will play again later this week on the road against Utah of the Pac-12 Conference. Sacramento State also improved to 9-0 all-time against William Jessup. The Warriors, who are an NAIA member school, had been 3-0 prior to this evening's loss.

Sacramento State is entering its 74th year of basketball, and 31st on the Div. I level. The Hornets used all 13 healthy bodies in tonight's game,and all but one of those players scored. The Hornets, who outscored William Jessup in the first half by a 48-19 margin, finished the game 48% (33-69) from the field, 57% (12-21) from the 3-point line and 73% (11-15) from the free throw line. Sacramento State badly outrebounded the Warriors, 49-33, and scored 24 points off 15 Jessup miscues.

The Hornets never trailed, jumping out to leads of 14-0 and 30-2. At one point, Sacramento State opened up a 40-point lead with seven minutes to play in the second half. The Warriors were held to 35% (22-63) shooting from the field. Sacramento State had 19 assists compared to just 13 turnovers.

Fowler, a fifth year senior, finished with 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, zero turnovers and three steals in just 19 minutes. Joining him in double figures were returners William FitzPatrick (11 points, six rebounds, 3-7 3FG) and Zach Chappell (10 points, six rebounds, three assists, zero turnovers).

Deshaun Highler had seven points and two assists, Teiano Hardee six points, four boards and two steals, and Elijah McCullough had nine points on 3-for-3 shooting from distance.

Seven newcomers appeared in tonight's game and six cracked the scoring column - Akili Evans (9 pts, 2 ast, 1 stl), Jonathan Komagum (7 pts, 8 reb, 2 blk), Marcus Greene (5 pts, 2 reb), Cameron Wilbon (3 pts, 6 reb), Theo Seng (3 pts), Hugo Clarkin (2 pts, 5 reb) and Chris Holley (3 ast, 2 reb).

The Hornets will turn their attention to the road where the team will play twice over a three-day span, beginning on Saturday at Utah (6:30 p.m.) and Monday at Cal Poly (7:00 p.m.).

NOTES -- Rick Barros III and Xavier Ford both missed tonight's game with injury.