SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State limited Montana to just six points in the final 16:30 of the contest, and rode that defensive effort to a 67-48 victory over the Grizzlies on Thursday evening at the Nest.
The 19-point margin of victory is easily the largest ever against Montana, surpassing the previous mark of nine, set in a 92-83 home win over the Griz in 2017. The Hornets had a 15-0 run over a five minute stretch of the first half, and added a 14-0 run over a 7:30 stretch of the second half.
Sacramento State, which led by as many as 21 points in the second half, outscored Montana, 32-17, after halftime. The Grizzlies shot just 33% (7-21) in the second half, and trailed by double figures the final 12:45 of the contest. Sacramento State held huge advantages in points in the paint (38-20), second chance points (22-2) and bench points (34-10). The Hornets had a whopping 35-19 rebounding advantage, further strengthening their position as the Big Sky Conference's top rebounding team.
The victory improved the Hornets to 12-9 overall and 5-3 in the Big Sky. Sacramento State remained perfect at home (8-0), which includes 4-0 against conference opposition. It marks just the third time in program history (1948-pres.), and second during the Div. I era (1991-pres.) the Hornets have won their first eight home games. The other occasions were 2019-20 and 1962-62. In addition, the Hornets have already surpassed their overall win total from a season ago (11-18).
Sacramento State enjoyed a rare blowout win, as the Hornets have been locked in tight games since Big Sky play began. In fact, prior to tonight, Sacramento State had played in three straight games, and five of the last six, decided by four points or less.
Montana, which was selected to finish third in both the Big Sky preseason coaches and media polls, dropped to 9-12 overall and 3-6 in league. The Grizzlies have dropped three straight to three of the best teams in the conference - Eastern Washington, Montana State and the Hornets.
Sacramento State shot 52% (27-52) from the field, 37% (7-19) from distance, and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. The Hornets had 18 assists on their 27 made buckets, including a career-high seven dimes from point guard
Gianni Hunt. Montana finished at 39% (19-48) from the field, and converted eight less buckets than Sacramento State. The Hornets had just nine turnovers, committed only 11 fouls, and played a fairly clean game from start to finish. Sacramento State led at halftime, 35-31.
Three Hornets scored in double figures. That included
Cameron Wilbon and
Akol Mawein both coming off the bench to score 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Mawein added seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocked shots, and Wilbon had four boards and two blocks. Mawein was a +21 in 19 minutes, and Wilbon a +20 in 28 minutes. Center
Callum McRae added 14 points and seven boards.
Hunt ran a crisp offense all evening, finishing with nine points (3-for-5 3FG), three rebounds, seven assists and just two turnovers in a 30 minutes.
Austin Patterson had five points and six rebounds, and
Zach Chappell five points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Quadry Adams, once again, played lockdown defense, finishing with a +18 in 25 minutes.
Today marked the first leg of a season-long four-game homestand. The Hornets are back in action on Saturday vs. Montana State at 7 p.m. They also play at home next Thursday and Saturday.
