SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State won for the third time in seven days, and never trailed in a 58-43 win over UC Merced on Friday afternoon at the Nest. The game marked the home opener, and the first home victory in the David Patrick era.

Sacramento State, which got off to a slow shooting start, still managed to never relinquish its early lead and opened up a 14-point first half lead with four minutes to play before the break. UC Merced, an NAIA institution that just lost by 17 points at San Francisco on Sunday, cut the lead to six points on a pair of occasions in the second half but would not get closer.

The Hornets improved to 3-1, including recent road wins at UC San Diego (Saturday) and Denver (Monday). Sacramento State opened the season with a three-game road trip before finally playing its first game in the Nest today. The Hornets will play just once this month in the Nest, although the team will stay in the area for Tuesday against rival UC Davis at the Golden1 Center.

UC Merced dropped to 3-3 with the loss. The Hornets were playing the Bobcats for the fourth time, and improved to 4-0 all-time.

The Hornets held UC Merced to under 30 points in both halves, including a 26-16 halftime lead. Against San Francisco, the Bobcats scored 71 points. Sacramento State limited Merced to 29% (17-58) from the field and 31% (5-16) from the 3-point line. The Hornets controlled the glass (50-32) and have now outrebounded all four opponents this season.

Sacramento State also held sizable advantages in points in the paint (38-20) and fast break points (9-0). The Hornets turned the ball over just nine times, but weren't very proficient from the field - 39% FG (23-59), 17% 3FG (4-23) and 44% FT (8-18). Sacramento State missed its first nine free throw attempts before going 8-for-9 from the stripe to close.

Callum McRae became the first Hornet player this season with a double-double as he finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds He shot 7-of-14 from the field, and six of those boards came on the offensive glass. Forward Akol Mawein also finished with double-figure rebounds as he finished with 10 boards (five offensive) to go with five points and a blocked shot.

Cameron Wilbon scored in double figures for the third time, finishing with 12 points (6-10 FG), four rebounds, a steal and a block, and point guard Gianni Hunt recorded eight points, five rebounds and a pair of assists. Hunter Marks had a season-high nine points and four rebounds, and Austin Patterson seven points, three rebounds and a game-high 36 minutes. Zach Chappell rounded out the Hornet scorers with three points, five rebounds and team-best three assists.

Freshman Kiir Kiir Chol Deng made his Hornet debut today, and played four and a half minutes.

Sacramento State will now turn its attention to Tuesday's game vs. UC Davis. The teams will play at the Golden1 Center for the sixth time in the last seven years (did not play in 2020 because of the pandemic). Sacramento State has won three straight in the series after the Aggies won the first two meetings at the downtown arena.