SACRAMENTO -- Despite tying a program record with 18 3-pointers, Sacramento State saw Eastern Washington close the final 2:10 on a 7-0 run to beat the Hornets, 91-88, on Monday evening at The Nest.
Tonight marked the regular season finale for both teams, as Sacramento State will now turn its attention to the Big Sky Conference Tournament later this week in Boise, Idaho. The Hornets will play Idaho in the first round on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT. Eastern Washington, back-to-back Big Sky regular season champs, receives a first round bye and will play the winner of Sacramento State-Idaho on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. PT in the second round.
In tonight's contest, Sacramento State went 18-for-31 (58%) from the 3-point line, the most Hornet 3-balls ever made against a Div. I team. The program had previously buried 18 3-pointers on two occasions, including earlier this season against Pacific Union, and 1987 vs. Cal State Hayward during the Div. II era.
All eight Hornets in tonight's game buried at least one 3-pointer as the team made nine in both the first and second halves. In a very entertaining game that saw the two teams combine for 46 assists on 65 made buckets, no team led by double figures the entire way. There were nine lead changes, and five ties, as the Hornets led for 19:28 of game clock. Fittingly, the game was tied at half (48-48) after
Alex Kovatchev buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Late second half, after an
Emil Skytta 3-pointer gave the Hornets an 88-84 lead with 2:37 to play, Eastern Washington responded by closing the game on a 7-0 run. On its final four possessions, Sacramento State missed three shots and committed a turnover. The Hornets had a great look to tie at the top of the key with two seconds left, but
Zee Hamoda's 3-pointer hit back heal.
The Hornets closed the regular season at 8-23 overall and 4-14 in the Big Sky, while the Eagles improved to 21-10 and 15-3 in league.
Both teams put on a shooting display as Eastern Washington shot 60% (35-58) from the field, including 50 points in the paint. The Eagles also scored 27 points off 18 Sacramento State turnovers. Some of those miscues resulted in easy baskets as EWU had 16 fast break points. The Hornets shot 53% (30-57) from the field and 83% (10-12) from the free throw line. Sacramento State had 21 assists, and all eight players had at least one dime.
Five Hornets scored in double figures, led by Hamoda's 18 points and five rebounds. Skytta posted career highs in points (15) and 3-pointers made (4-for-5) while adding three assists.
Austin Patterson continued his torrid play of late, finishing with 14 points on 4-for-7 from deep to go with five rebounds.
Jacob Holt posted 12 points on 3-4 FG, 1-1 3FG, and 5-5 FT to go with three boards. Kovatchev had 11 points on 3-for-4 from the 3-point line.
Senior
Akol Mawein, honored before the game on Senior Night, added eight points, six rebounds and a career-high tying four assists.
Bowyn Beatty had seven points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Bailey Nunn added three points, three assists and two rebounds.
Sacramento State will leave for Boise on Friday, and gear up for the single-elimination Big Sky Tournament. All 10 teams in the league qualify for the event which runs March 9-13 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
