CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Southern Utah shot 56% (34-61) from the field, and 52% (13-25) from the 3-point line on the way to an 88-69 win over Sacramento State on Thursday evening at America First Events Center.

The Thunderbirds broke things open with a 21-6 run spanning the final 9:33 of the first half to extend a one-point lead all the way to 48-32 at the break. Southern Utah, which led for over 35 minutes of game clock, held a double-figure advantage the entire second half. The T-Birds shot better than 50% from the field in both halves and had sizable leads over Sacramento State in rebounding (44-23), points in the paint (42-28) and second chance points (16-6).

The loss dropped Sacramento State to 7-7 overall, 4-5 in the Big Sky an 2-6 on the road. Southern Utah has now won four straight, and remains perfect at home (12-0) while improving to 14-3 overall and 7-2 in league. The Hornets and Thunderbirds will play again in Cedar City on Saturday at 11:05 a.m. PST.

Sacramento State shot well - 46% (28-61) from the field and 39% (7-18) from the 3-point line - but proved no match for Southern Utah's shooting touch or rebouding prowess. The Hornets also shot 6-for-13 from the free throw line. The Hornets committed just seven turnovers, and held a 12-7 edge in points off miscues. Sacramento State has yet to commit more than 13 turnovers in any game this year, and entered tonight ranked 13th in the nation with an average of just 10.5 misuces per game.

Speaking of turnovers, one of the most impressive streaks in the country came to an end tonight. Senior guard William FitzPatrick committed a turnover in the first half, breaking a remarkable run of 362 straight minutes without a turnover, a run that dated all the way back to Hornets' second game of the season.

Senior Christian Terrell led the Hornets with 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and zero turnovers in 36 minutes. He shot 8-of-17 from the floor, and 2-for-5 from distance. Joining Terrell in double figures were Bryce Fowler (14 points), Ethan Esposito (14 points) and FitzPatrick (10 points). Esposito has now scored at least 12 points in 13 straight games, and FitzPatrick (3-for-7 tonight) has buried 11 3-pointers over his last three games (11-for-19 over that span).

No other Hornet scored more than four points. Jalen Townsell scored the first points of his Sacramento State career, and finished with four points and two rebounds in eight minutes. Brandon Davis (four assists, zero turnovers), Zach Chappell, Jordan Cooke-Harper and David Jones all finished with two points. Jones, who had three blocks, had missed the previous four games with injury.

Four of Southern Utah's five starters scored in double figures, led by Tevian Jones' 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 4-for-7 from distance and 4-of-4 from the line. He also had seven rebounds.