LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Senior Prophet Johnson (13 pts, 10 reb) and freshman Mark Lavrenov (10 pts, 10 reb) both posted double-doubles, but the Hornets fell at 19th-ranked UCLA, 79-48, on Tuesday evening at Pauley Pavilion.

UCLA did not trail, scoring the first 13 points of the game and never looking back. Sacramento State's first bucket came via Brandon Gardner jumper at the 13:55 mark of the first half. The Hornets missed their first nine shots from the field, and went 5-for-23 from the floor in the first half that helped the Bruins to a 42-17 halftime lead. However, it was a much different second half when Sacramento State converted on eight field goals and 14 free throws while being outscored by just a 37-31 margin.

The loss dropped Sacramento State to 3-3 while UCLA, ranked 19th in the AP Top 25 poll, improved to 4-1 overall, and 4-0 at home. Tonight marked the fourth-ever meeting between the programs with each game taking place in Los Angeles. The Bruins have won each meeting.

Tonight also marked the final leg in a stretch of three games over five days for the Hornets. Sacramento State was also playing its second game of the Empire Classic MTE, which began with the Hornets' win on Sunday over Presbyterian, and will conclude this Friday at Cal.

Since joining the Div. I ranks in 1991-92, the Hornets have never defeated a nationally ranked program (0-18). Sacramento State was playing a ranked opponent for the first time since opening the 2022-23 season at seventh-ranked UCLA. The Bruins' lone loss this season is a four point defeat (69-65) against fifth-ranked Arizona at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

Sacramento State went to the free throw line six more times than UCLA, but finished 19-for-30 (63%) from the line. The Hornets had just two turnovers in the second half after 11 in the first half.

Johnson's 13 points came with 10 rebounds, four assists and game-high four steals. The senior guard has now posted double-doubles in four of his last five games. Lavrenov, a true freshman from Rocklin, finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 29 minutes while going 6-for-8 from the line. He took over for center Jeremiah Cherry who was injured at the 8:18 mark of the first half and did not return.

Also in double figures was Jahni Summers who scored 11 points (3-6 FG, 2-5 3FG, 3-4 FT). Mikey Williams had nine points, four rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. It marked the first game this season Williams did not lead the team in assists. 

Johnson played 38 minutes, and Williams played 34 minutes. All 12 healthynon-redshirt Hornets played in tonight's game.

Sacramento State is back in action when it travels to Berkeley for a Friday matchup at Cal. Tip is 7 p.m., and the game will stream on the ACC Network.

NOTABLES
• Sacramento State has never defeated a team from the current alignment of the Big Ten Conference. The Hornets are now 0-27. The Hornets have played eight of the 18 teams in the conference
• After Friday's game at Cal, the Hornets are back at home on Nov. 25 vs. San Francisco State. That game will be the last at Hornet Pavilion until the Big Sky Conference home opener vs. Northern Arizona on Jan. 15.