SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State nearly erased a 22-point second half deficit, but fell just short in a 60-54 loss to Montana on Thursday evening at the Nest.

The Hornets missed their first 16 3-point attempts of the game, and Montana used a 19-2 run to open up a 31-15 halftime lead. At one point during the first half, the Hornets were 4-for-23 from the field as the team had its worst shooting half of the season.

It was a much different second half, as the Hornets outscored the Griz, 39-29. The 39 points easily doubled the team's first half output, and Sacramento State actually finished the game making two more field goals than Montana (21-19).

The Hornets shot 56% (15-27) in the second half, and eventually used a 9-2 run to get within four points (58-54) with 19 seconds remaining. However, Montana made a couple late free throws, and the Hornets missed a 3-ball on their last possession to provide the final outcome.

The Griz never trailed, and the 22-point lead early second half (39-17) was also their largest of the evening.

Playing the first of just two remaining games in the Nest, the Hornets dropped to 7-22 overall and 3-13 in the Big Sky Conference. Sacramento State has just two games left in the regular season - Saturday vs. Montana State, Monday at Portland State - before the Big Sky Tournament begins March 8 in Boise, Idaho.

Regardless of what happens in the final two games, the Hornets will play the first round of the Big Sky Tournament on March 8 at 4:30 p.m. PT. The Hornets will likely play either Weber State or Eastern Washington in that first round matchup. The winner of that game advances to play the No. 1 seed on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. PT, while the losing team is eliminated.

Montana (21-8, 14-2) remains one of hottest teams in the country, as the Grizzlies have won 10 straight. They also control their own destiny to win their first Big Sky regular season title since the 2018-19 season.

Montana, which shot 50% (19-38) from the field, but just 2-for-10 from deep, went 20-for-24 from the free throw line. The Griz also had a 33-26 rebounding advantage, and the 20 made free throws were 12 more than the Hornets (8-of-13). Sacramento State finished 38% (21-56) from the field and 17% (4-23) from the 3-point line. Each of those four made 3-balls came in the second half.

The Hornets were led in scoring for the fourth straight game by Jacob Holt who finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Holt, who dealt with foul trouble the entire second half, finished with a +7 plus/minus in nearly 23 minutes of action. Fellow senior EJ Neal helped spearhead the second half comeback, scoring 11 points after halftime on 3-for-5 shooting from deep. He finished with 11 points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Emil Skytta added eight points and three assists while Bailey Nunn, Lachlan Brewer, Chudi Dioramma and Leo Ricketts each had four points. The Hornets used a nine-man rotation as Julian Vaughns returned after missing four games with injury. Vaughns played just three minutes as he works his way back into basketball shape.

The Hornets are back in action Saturday at home vs. Montana State at 1 p.m. Prior to the game, Hornet seniors Holt and Neal will be honored for their contributions to the program. In addition, Saturday will be the Hornets' final game in the Nest, as the team will move across campus into The Well next season.