BOISE, Idaho -- In a game that literally could have gone either way, Montana State outlasted Sacramento State, 74-71, in the Big Sky Conference Tournament semifinal round Tuesday night at Idaho Central Arena.

The victory allows Montana State to advance to tomorrow night's Big Sky championship game while Sacramento State sees its season come to a close. The Hornets advanced to just their fourth Big Sky Tournament semifinal by virtue of defeating No. 9 seed Idaho in the first round, and No. 1 seed Eastern Washington in the quarterfinals.

Tonight, Montana State did not trail in the second half, but Sacramento State had plenty of opportunities. The Bobcats never led by more than six points the final 8:18, and the Hornets missed the front end of 1-and-1 free throw situations with a chance to tie at both the 3:56 and 32-second marks.

After an Alex Kovatchev putback with 1:35 remaining drew the Hornets within, 71-69, it was a one-possession game the rest of the way. Sacramento State forced a miss on the Bobcats' ensuing possession, but the Hornets could not take advantage missing the front end with 32 seconds left.

Sacramento State was forced to foul with 27 seconds remaining, and Montana State's Robert Ford III buried both free throws. The Hornets immediately answered three second later when Austin Patterson streaked to the rim for a layup and a 72-71 deficit with 19 seconds left. Once again, MSU made both free throws after being fouled with 13 second to play.

Trailing, 74-71, the Hornets' Zee Hamoda had a good look at a 3-pointer but his shot hit back iron, and the game essentially ended during a multi-player scrum for the rebound.

Both teams shot 11-for-27 (21%) from the 3-point line, but Montana State converted on one more field goal and one more free throw. The Hornets went 6-of-12 from the free throw line while the Bobcats were 7-for-8. After trailing, 42-38, at the half, Sacramento State outscored Montana State in the second half, 33-32.

Despite the loss, the Hornets' future is extremely bright:

• The Hornets used eight players in all three games of their Big Sky Tournament run, four of which are freshmen. The team started two freshmen, and played without its leading scorer, Duncan Powell, who missed the entire tournament with injury. Powell is a sophomore.
• The Hornets 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) since joining the league in 1996
• Highest seed defeated by the Hornets at the tournament was No. 1 Eastern Washington (previous was No. 3 Montana in 2003)
• First time in Big Sky Tournament history a 10 seed defeated a 1 seed
• The Hornets won four of their final six games of the season, with both losses coming by three points

In tonight's contest, Sacramento State held advantages in points off turnovers (23-9) and points in the paint (30-26) as Sacramento State committed just eight turnovers. The Hornets also trailed by 14 points in the first half, but used an 11-0 run to get back in the contest. After the Bobcats began the game 8-for-12 from the 3-point line, the Hornets limited them to 3-for-15 from distance the rest of the way.

Four Hornets scored in double figures, led by Austin Patterson's 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Point guard Emil Skytta had 12 points, Hamoda 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, and center Bowyn Beatty 10 points and seven boards (five offensive). Both Beatty and Skytta are freshmen while Patterson and Hamoda are juniors.

Akol Mawein had seven points, and was the Hornets' leading scorer at the tournament. In three games, the Hornets' lone senior averaged 16.3 points on 57% (16-28) from the field, 75% (3-4) from the 3-point line and 82% (14-17) from the free throw line. Freshmen Bailey Nunn (six points, two assists) and Alex Kovatchev (five points, six rebounds) both chipped in, and Jacob Holt added four points.

Four Hornets averaged double figures in the tournament, comprised of Mawein (16.3 ppg), Hamoda (12.7 ppg), Patterson (10.7 ppg) and Nunn (10.3 ppg).