FRESNO, Calif. -- Sacramento State closed the final 4:22 on a 12-5 run, Callum McRae had 19 second-half points, and Sacramento State beat Fresno State for the first time in 56 years in a 59-53 road win over the Bulldogs on Saturday evening at the Save Mart Center.

In the process, the Hornets snapped a 23-game losing streak against Fresno State, beat the Bulldogs for the first time since 1966, and won in Fresno for the first time since 1954. Sacramento State, which is playing with six newcomers in the rotation, continues to improve each game. The Hornets have now won three straight, and each of the team's last five games have been decided in the closing minutes.

Sacramento State improved to 6-5 overall, and 3-2 on the road. That includes wins at UC San Diego and Denver. The three non-league road wins are tied for most in the program's Div. I era (1991-pres.). The 2005-06 team also accomplished the feat.

Each of the victories during the three-game winning streak have come by six points or less. The 6-5 record is easily the best mark (through 11 games) by a first-year Sacramento State coaching staff in the Div. I era.

Fresno State, which had won two of its last three games including a 14 point victory at UC Irvine, lost for just the second time at home. The Bulldogs had not lost at home since Nov. 16.

McRae, the Hornets' 7-foot-1 center, had a monster game. He finished with a season-high 21 points on 10-for-14 shooting to go along with six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. He posted 19 points in the second half on 9-for-10 shooting, scored 19 of the Hornets' 35 points in the second half, and scored all 19 of those points in the final 13 minutes.

In a game where neither team led by more than 10 points, Fresno State held a 48-47 lead with just under five minutes to play. A Gianni Hunt 3-pointer as the shot clock expired with 4:22 left started a game-clinching 12-5 run. During the spurt, Hunt hit a pair of 3-balls, McRae had four points, and Akol Mawein connected on two big free throws with 10 seconds left. Hunt's second 3-ball of the spurt with 1:30 left proved to be the dagger and gave Sacramento State a 55-48 lead.

The Hornets shot 50% (23-46) from the field, 46% (6-13) from the 3-point line and 78% (7-9) from the stripe. The Hornets committed just 14 fouls and Fresno State went to the line only four times. The Hornets had a huge advantage on the glass (32-21), and limited Fresno State to two offensive rebounds and zero second chance points. Fresno State, which trailed, 24-23, at the half, shot 46% (23-50) from the field and 42% (5-12) from distance.

Two Sacramento State players finished with double figures, including Zach Chappell's 13 points on 4-8 FG, 2-5 3FG, and 3-3 FT. McRae finished with a +13 in plus/minus, the best mark by any player from either team. Mawein had nine points, eight rebounds and a pair of steals, and Austin Patterson posted eight points (2-4 3FG), and a career-high seven rebounds in a game-best 36 minutes of action.

Hunt had six points, two rebounds and a steal, Cameron Wilbon tallied two points, and Quadry Adams four rebounds. Sacramento State used eight players in today's game, including Hunter Marks.

Jordan Campbell led Fresno State with 13 points. No Bulldog player had more than four rebounds.

Sacramento State returns to action on Wednesday for a road game at Cal State Fullerton. Tip is set for 6 p.m. That is the second game of a doubleheader that will see the Hornet women play Cal State Fullerton at 3 p.m. After the Fullerton game, the Hornets will play two straight, and four of their next six at home.