SACRAMENTO -- Weber State made each of its final seven field goal attempts and finished the game on a 19-12 run as the Wildcats beat Sacramento State, 82-73, on Thursday evening inside the Nest.

In a game where neither team led by more than six points the first 36 minutes of game clock, the Wildcats caught fire late, scoring 19 points in the game's final 5:54. Sacramento State couldn't quite keep up as the Wildcats, who led by 11 points on three occasions in the final minute, finished the game shooting 59% (35-59) from the field. That includes a blistering 69% (20-29) in the second half.

Really, the game came down to Sacramento State having trouble closing halves, as Weber State closed the first half on a 10-3 run. The Wildcats only converted on three 3-pointers (3-13) and nine free throws (9-10), but their proficient shooting was too much for the Hornets to overcome. The game featured eight ties and 10 lead changes as the two teams battled back and forth the majority of the contest.

Sacramento State, which was playing its first home game in over a month (Jan. 23), dropped to 7-9 overall and 4-7 in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets hadn't played since a double overtime win over Montana, and between then and now, had three home games canceled due to COVID-19 protocols in their opponents' programs.

The Hornets fell for just the second time at home this season (5-2), but are still a combined 82-37 inside the Nest dating back to 2012. Prior to this evening, Sacramento State had won four of the last six meetings at home against the Wildcats.

Weber State, which sits in a tie for second place the Big Sky standings, has now won four straight and eight of its last nine games. The Wildcats improved to 15-5 overall, 10-3 in conference, and 5-4 on the road. Weber State was coming off a home sweep of Northern Arizona last week in which the Wildcats won both games by more than 20 points.

Sacramento State shot 45% (25-56) from the field (including 61% in the second half), and got to the free throw line 24 times (converting 17-of-24 attempts, 71%). Weber State was limited to just two offensive rebounds as the Hornets held a 10-4 edge in second chance points. Of Weber State's 82 points, 54 came in the paint compared to the Hornets' 32 points in the paint. Both teams had less than 10 turnovers - Hornets 9, Wildcats 8.

Five Sacramento State players scored in double figures, led by Bryce Fowler's 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Fowler shot 8-for-12 from the field and 13 of his points came in the second half. William FitzPatrick buried four 3-pointers and finished with 12 points, and Ethan Esposito finished with 10 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists. Esposito has now scored in double figures in a team-best 15 straight games.

Both Christian Terrell and Zach Chappell had 10 points, and the Sacramento natives combined for three dunks. Terrell was 5-for-7 from the field and Chappell 3-of-6 from the floor and 3-for-4 from the free throw line. Samaad Hector had seven points and four rebounds, and point guard Brandon Davis finished with three points, three boards and two assists. David Jones added four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Weber State had four players score in double figures, led by Seikou Sisoho Jawara's game-high tying 19 points (13 in the second half).

These same two teams will play on Saturday at 11:05 a.m. in what will be Sacramento State's final home game of the season. Prior to the game, Hornet seniors Spencer Monteiro, Esposito, Fowler, FitzPatrick and Terrell will be honored for their contributions to the program.