GREELEY, Colo. -- Sacramento State had a chance to tie in the closing seconds, but Zee Hamoda's 3-point attempt with one second left was blocked by Langston Reynolds, and the Hornets fell at Northern Colorado, 77-75, on Thursday at Bank of Colorado Arena.

In a game where neither team led by more than five points the final 9:40, Sacramento State nearly overcame a five-point deficit with just over a minute to play. Trailing, 76-71, Duncan Powell hit a free throw with 1:06 remaining and Alex Kovatchev buried a 3-ball with 31 seconds left to draw the Hornets within, 76-75.

With only a second separating the shot and game clock, the Hornets fouled Dejour Reaves with 21 seconds left. Reaves split the free throws, setting the stage for the final 20 seconds and Sacramento State trailing, 77-75. The Hornets elected to give Zee Hamoda the final shot. It was Hamoda that buried the game winner on Saturday with 0.2 seconds left against Idaho State, and hit huge late shots to beat UC Davis and Weber State.

Hamoda dribbled the clock down, and briefly had the ball knocked out of his hands by Langston. By the time he recovered, Hamoda had to settle for a fadeaway 3-point shot that was partially blocked by Reynolds as the buzzer sounded. The Hornets outscored the Bears in the second half, 42-37, which included a 29-14 run to overcome a 15-point deficit. The game featured eight ties and eight lead changes, and both teams shot 52% from the field (SAC 28-54; NC 31-59).

Playing close games is nothing new for Sacramento State, which dropped to 6-12 overall and 2-3 in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets have now played three straight, and five of the last seven games, decided by three points or less. In fact, of Sacramento State's five conference games, four have been decided by three points or fewer.

Northern Colorado, winners of six of the last seven games, improved to 10-7 and 3-1. The Bears are now 6-1 at home, and have not lost at Bank of Colorado Arena since Nov. 14. The Bears entered the game as the Big Sky's top offense (43rd in the nation) at 81.3 points per game. That includes a 90.3 per game average in Big Sky play.

Greeley has never been an easy place to play, as the Hornets are now 3-13 all-time when playing on Northern Colorado's home floor.

Sacramento State turned the ball over a season-low eight times, and shot 52% (28-54) from the field, 42% (10-24) from the 3-point line and 75% (9-12) from the free throw line. The Hornets held a 33-24 rebounding advantage, and had nine second chance points. The Hornets' 10 3-pointers were the most in seven games. After trailing, 40-33, at the break, Sacramento State held a 42-37 advantage in the second half.

The Bears had a large advantage in fast break points (16-4), and points in the paint (46-26).

Hamoda finished with a team-high 19 points (7-13 FG, 4-9 3FG, 1-2 FT) to go with three rebounds and a team-best three assists. He scored 13 points in the second half on 5-for-8 shooting, and 3-of-5 from distance. He was joined in double figures by Jacob Holt's 12 points, six rebounds and a +12 in plus/minus. Holt has now scored 12 points each of the last two games, matching his career high. Duncan Powell finished with 11 points and three rebounds.

The bench, which included Holt, was effective all evening, combining for 34 points. All four bench performers had at a +10 or better in plus/minus. That included Bowyn Beatty's nine points and six rebounds (three offensive), Kovatchev's eight points and five rebounds, and Bailey Nunn's five points and two assists.

Starter Emil Skytta had nine points and three rebounds, and Austin Patterson was limited to two points and five boards. Patterson saw his streak of 15 straight games with at least one three-point make come to a close.

The Hornets are back in action on Saturday at Northern Arizona. Tip is 1 p.m. PT.