BOISE, Idaho -- Sacramento State led for over 37 minutes of clock, and three Hornets scored in double figures on the way to a 74-69 victory over top seed Eastern Washington in the Big Sky Conference Tournament quarterfinals Sunday evening.

The Hornets, who are the 10 seed, defeated an Eastern Washington team that gained the top seed by winning the Big Sky's regular season championship for the second straight year. Sacramento State advances to the semifinal round on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. PT against Monday's winner of No. 4 Weber State/No. 5 Montana State. The semifinal game will be televised on ESPNU, and streamed on ESPN+.

Sacramento State advanced to the quarters after winning their first round game yesterday over Idaho by a 72-64 score.

• The Hornets have won two games in the Big Sky Tournament for the first time since joining the league in 1996
• Advanced to the semifinal round of the Big Sky Tournament for just the fourth time (2003, 2006, 2015, 2024)
• Highest seed defeated by the Hornets at the tournament (previous was No. 3 Montana in 2003)
• Sacramento State will be seeking its first trip to the Big Sky Tournament championship game
• First time in Big Sky Tournament history a 10 seed has defeated a 1 seed
• The Hornets have won four of their last five games, with the only loss during that stretch coming at home to Eastern Washington (91-88) on Monday in the regular season finale

The Hornets have been in control from start to finish of both tournament wins thus far, leading for a combined 72:26 of clock during the victories. Tonight, Sacramento State led for 37:20 while posting season highs in free throws made (26) and attempted (33). The Hornets opened the game on a 17-7 run, and never looked back. Eastern Washington kept things close throughout the second half, but Sacramento State held a two-possession advantage the final 4:22 of the contest.

Both teams shot 40% (20-50) from the field, but the Hornets converted on two more 3-pointers (38%, 8-21) and three more free throws (79%, 26-33). Sacramento State also held a 34-27 rebounding advantage, and converted 11 offensive rebounds into 11 second chance points. The Hornets outscored the Eagles in both halves (35-32 in the 1st; 39-37 in the 2nd).

Leading the way from the arc was junior Zee Hamoda who finished with a team-high 19 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the 3-point line and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Perhaps Hamoda's biggest 3-pointer came early in the second half to stop an Eastern Washington 9-0 run. In fact, that run gave the Eagles their largest lead of the game at 41-38, but Hamoda's 3-pointer tied things and Sacramento State never trailed again.

Akol Mawein continued his torrid Big Sky Tournament with 17 points and four rebounds. He was 6-for-11 from the field and 5-of-6 from the three throw line. Coupled with his career-high 25 points yesterday vs. Idaho - in two Big Sky Tourney games, Mawein is averaging 21.0 points on 62% (13-21) from the field, 67% (2-3) from the 3-point line and 82% (14-17) from the free throw line.

Freshman point guard Bailey Nunn had another big game, finishing with 11 points, two assists, two steals, and a game-high +14 in plus/minus. He was a +15 yesterday (leading the team in both games) and is now a +29 in two Big Sky Tournament contests.

Austin Patterson had nine points and a season-high nine rebounds, freshman Bowyn Beatty had nine points and eight rebounds (second straight game with eight boards), and Jacob Holt added seven points, four rebounds and two blocked shots. Alex Kovatchev had two points, two rebounds, and played solid defense.

• The Hornets used eight players in today's game, four of which are freshmen. The team started two freshmen (Emil Skytta and Beatty), and is playing without its leading scorer Duncan Powell who is out for the tournament with injury. Powell is a sophomore.