SACRAMENTO - Mercyhurst scored the game's first eight points, and never trailed on the way to a 66-60 victory over Sacramento State on Saturday evening at the Nest.

The Lakers, a Div. I team from Erie, Pa., and members of the Northeast Conference, held an 11-point lead at halftime (33-22), and had an advantage as large as 14 points early in the second half. Sacramento State shot just 6-for-26 from the field and 2-of-11 from 3PT in the first half, and Mercyhurst took advantage.

After the Lakers took their largest lead of the evening at 41-27 with 15:21 to play, the Hornets began to cut into the deficit. Sacramento State was a much better team in the second half, shooting 62% (13-21) from the field and 55% (6-11) from the 3-point line on the way to a 38-33 advantage after halftime.

It was a single digit lead for Mercyhurst the final 8:28 of the contest. A mini 5-0 run with under four minutes to play - punctuated by an Emil Skytta dunk - had the Hornets within two points (60-58) with 1:48 remaining. Sacramento State then forced a Laker miss, before Jacob Holt had a good look at a 3-pointer (1:19) that would have given the Hornets their first lead of the game. The shot, however, spun around the rim before falling out.

The Lakers would score six of the game's final eight points over the last 1:16. Mercyhurst improved to 5-4 while Sacramento State, coming off a spirited comeback win at Air Force, dropped to 2-5.

The Lakers finished the game 47% (22-47), and 40% (10-25) from the 3-point line. The Hornets made three less field goals (40%, 19-47) and two less 3-balls (36%, 8-22). The Hornets did have nine steals and 20 points off turnovers.

Holt led the Hornets in scoring for the fourth time this season with 15 points and six rebounds. Julian Vaughns added 14 points (2-3 3PT) and five rebounds, and Bailey Nunn 12 points (4-8 3FG), four rebounds and three assists. All 12 of those points for Nunn came in the second half, and he provided 12 of the team's 18 bench points.

Skytta added eight points, three rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block, and Chudi Dioramma four points and three boards.

Alex Kovatchev, who started each of the first four games of the season, missed his third consecutive game with injury.

The Hornets play twice next week, including a Wednesday road game at Denver (6 p.m. PT), followed by a home game vs. Omaha on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.