SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State closed the game on a 21-8 run, but it was not enough to overcome Weber State's hot shooting in an 87-81 loss to the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at the Nest.
The Wildcats finished the game 55% (27-49) from the field, and 50% (11-22) from the 3-point line while also knocking down 22 free throws (22-31, 71%). Weber State was 8-for-12 from distance at halftime, and then connected on each of its first three attempts in the second half to build a 16-point lead (55-39). The Hornets, who trailed, 42-34, at the break, were in catchup mode the rest of the way.
After trailing, 79-60, with 3:32 remaining, the Hornets closed on a 21-8 run behind a flurry of scoring from
Leo Ricketts (10) and
Michael Wilson (9) who combined for 19 of the 21 points during the spurt. Wilson buried 3-pointers on three straight possessions, and Ricketts scored more points during the run (10) than he had all season (8).
Ricketts and Wilson highlighted five Hornets in double figures as both posted career highs. Wilson finished with career highs in points (14), 3-pointers (4-for-6) and was one rebound shy of a career best (6). Ricketts did not play each of the first 16 games of the season, and has been a spark plug off the bench each of the last four games. That includes today's career-best 13 points (5-6 FG, 3-3 3FG) and four assists. He was also a team-best +15 in plus/minus in 14 minutes off the bench.
The loss dropped the Hornets to 6-14 overall and 2-5 in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets split this week's homestand, which included a 75-71 victory over Idaho State on Thursday. Sacramento State will now begin a season-long four-game road trip next week.
Weber State, a 20-win program last season, improved to 8-13 and 2-5 in league. Each of the last six matchups between the Hornets and Wildcats have been decided by six points or less.
Sacramento State went 14-for-36 (39%) from the 3-point line as the 14 makes are the most this season against a Div. I opponent. However, there was a large free throw disparity that saw the Wildcats make 22 compared to just nine for the Hornets (9-of-11). The Hornets' 3-point barrage was spearheaded by Wilson (4-for-6), Ricketts (3-for-3) and
Julian Vaughns (3-for-6).
Jacob Holt also buried a pair of 3-balls.
The Hornets turned 11 offensive rebounds into a whopping 21-1 second chance points advantage. Of the five Sacramento State players in double figures, three came off the bench, including
Chudi Dioramma's 10 points and two blocked shots.
Jacob Holt led the team in scoring with 18 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Vaughns had 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Holt has now led the Hornets in scoring on 14 occasions, and Vaughns has dropped double figures in five of the last six games.
Sacramento State hops back on the road next week when it travels to the Treasure State to take on both Montana schools. That includes Thursday at Montana State (6 p.m. PT) and Saturday at Montana (3 p.m. PT).
