CHENEY, Wash. -- Eastern Washington's Mason Williams hit a 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds left to break a tie, and deliver the Eagles an 83-80 victory over Sacramento State on Thursday evening at Reese Court.

In a game that featured 14 ties, 14 lead changes, and neither team leading by more than eight points, it was Eastern Washington that scored on each of its last four possessions, capped by the Williams trey. Sacramento State also scored on four straight possessions late, before that streak was snapped when Bailey Nunn's desperation 35-footer at the buzzer was off the mark.

The Eagles did not trail the final 12:45 of the contest, but Sacramento State had the score tied on four occasions during the final three minutes. However, Eastern Washington had an answer on its next possession each time. After the Hornets' Jacob Holt buried a pair of free throws with 32 seconds to tie, Williams dribbled the shot clock all the way down before unleashing a well contested 3-ball at the top of the key that drew nothing but net.

The combination of Holt and Nunn was incredible this evening, as Holt finished with 32 points and seven rebounds. It was his second 30-point game of the season, as the senior finished 9-12 FG, 3-3 3FG and 11-12 FT while playing 29 minutes. Nunn posted a career-high tying 18 points (14 in the second half) on 4-for-8 shooting from distance. All four of those 3-balls came in the second half, as he and Holt combined for 28 of the Hornets' 39 second half points.

Sacramento State, playing the third leg of a season long four-game road trip, dropped to 6-17 overall and 2-8 in the Big Sky Conference. Eastern Washington won its second straight while improving to 8-16 and 4-7.

The Hornets' 80 points were their second highest output against a Div. I team this season, as the team shot 46% (26-56) from the field, 47% (9-19) from the 3-point line and 86% (19-22) from the free throw line. The Hornets, who trailed at halftime, 42-41, held a 31-23 rebounding advantage. They also had 11 offensive rebounds and 34 paint points.

However, Eastern Washington held large advantages in fast break points (14-0) and points off turnovers (19-4). The bulk of those fast break points came on easy buckets after a careless Sacramento State pass led to an Eagle break. The Eagles finished 55% (29-53) from the field, 38% (8-21) from the 3-point line and 77% (17-22) from the charity stripe. The Williams' 3-ball at the end of the game was just the third EWU 3-pointer made in the second half.

Joining Holt and Nunn in double figures for Sacramento State was Chudi Dioramma's 10 points and six rebounds. Dioramma had three of the Hornets' 11 offensive rebounds. Lachlan Brewer had eight points, three rebounds and a pair of steals. The quartet of Holt, Nunn, Dioramma and Brewer combined for 68 of the Hornets' 80 points.

A welcome sight for the Hornets was the return of guard Emil Skytta, who had missed the previous seven games. On a minutes restriction, he played 18 minutes in tonight's contest. Michael Wilson added five points, six rebounds and three assists.

The Hornets conclude the road trip with a Saturday afternoon matchup at Idaho. Tip is 2 p.m.