Box Score BOZEMAN, Mont. -- After Sacramento State took its first lead of the game with 2:28 to play, the Hornets did not score again as Montana State closed on a 5-0 run to win, 60-56, on Thursday night at Worthington Arena.
Hunter Marks drained a 3-ball at the 2:28 mark to give the Hornets a 56-55 lead, and things looked even better when Sacramento State forced an MSU miss on its next possession. However, the Hornets did not score again, and the Bobcats would score all five of their final points from the free throw line over the last 1:19.
Sacramento State did have a chance to take the lead with 10 seconds left and trailing, 57-56, but the Hornets missed a jumper. The Bobcats would score each of the game's final three points during the final seven seconds.
Montana State took full advantage of a bevy of whistles, going to the free throw line a whopping 17 more times than Sacramento State. In fact, the Hornets shot 45% (21-47) from the field and converted five more field goals than Montana State (37%, 16-43). But the parade to the free throw line included the Bobcats converting on 26-of-33 from the stripe while the Hornets went just 9-for-16.
Sacramento State, one of the least penalized teams in the nation at 14.9 fouls per game, was whistled for 24 fouls - the most called on the Hornets in a regulation game this year. The Bobcats' free throws made and attempted were the most yielded by Sacramento State this season. In fact, the Hornets committed 15 fouls or less in 16 games this season.
The loss dropped the Hornets to 13-16 overall and 6-10 in league play. Montana State will be the No. 2 seed at next week's Big Sky Tournament while improving to 20-9 overall and 13-3 in league. Both Bobcat victories over the Hornets this season have come by seven points or less. That included a 72-65 win at the Nest on Jan. 28.
Only two games remain in the regular season for Sacramento State, and both will come on the road.
Statistically, the Hornets were the better team except two huge categories - free throws and turnovers. Sacramento State committed 17 miscues (most against a Big Sky opponent), and the Bobcats had a 15-8 advantage in points off turnovers. The Hornets dominated the glass, outrebounding Montana State, 37-23. That included 11 offensive rebounds. The Hornets also held a 30-20 advantage in points in the paint.
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Callum McRae led the Hornets with 14 points (7-10 FG), scoring in double figures for the eighth time in the last nine games.
Gianni Hunt had 11 points, five rebounds and two assists, and
Akol Mawein six points and three boards.
Austin Patterson posted nine points and four rebounds,
Zach Chappell seven points and three boards, and Marks five points and three rebounds.
Cameron Wilbon rounded out the seven Hornets to crack the scoring column with four points and three boards.
Tonight's game began a stretch of three road games over a five-day stretch that includes games at Montana on Saturday (6 p.m. PT) and Portland State on Monday (7 p.m.).
