SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State's Prophet Johnson scored a season-high 29 points, Mark Lavrenov added a double-double (11 pts, 10 reb) and Jayden Teat buried four 3-pointers to lead the Hornets to an 83-69 victory over Northern Arizona on Thursday evening at Hornet Pavilion.

After trailing by five (39-34) at halftime, Sacramento State had a huge second half in which they outscored Northern Arizona, 49-30. The Hornets broke things open with a 13-2 run over a four minute stretch that extended a three-point advantage to 74-60 with 4:42 remaining. Sacramento State led by at least 11 points the rest of the way. NAU led by as many as 10 points (50-40) early in the second half, before the Hornets outscored the Lumberjacks, 43-19, during the game's final 16 minutes.

Playing its first home game in 50 days (third longest streak in the nation), the Hornets put the recent seven-game road trip out of their minds while improving to 5-1 at home. Sacramento State also improved to 5-11 overall and 1-3 in the Big Sky Conference. Each of the team's first three conference games were on the road before tonight served as the Big Sky home opener for the Hornets.

Northern Arizona (6-12, 0-5), coming off a two-point loss (81-79) to Idaho State on Saturday, had defeated the Hornets on five straight occasions prior to tonight. In fact, this evening was Sacramento State's first victory over the Lumberjacks since Jan. 14, 2023, in the Nest.

The Hornets earned their first conference win in the Mike Bibby era while playing without the services of their top two scorers to injury. Mikey Williams (17.8 ppg) missed his first game of the season while Jeremiah Cherry (15.5 ppg) missed his 10th straight game. In addition, Brandon Gardner was injured at the 8:42 mark of the first half, and did not return.

Sacramento State had just seven turnovers, outscored NAU, 18-8, in points off turnovers, and also had a large advantage (18-7) in second chance points. After the Lumberjacks shot 59% (16-27) in the first half, they were held to 10-of-31 shooting in the second half. Sacramento State finished a proficient 46% (27-59) from the field, 48% (11-23) from the 3-point line and 90% (18-20) from the free throw line. The 11 3-balls were the most for the Hornets against a Div. I team, and the 48% from distance also set a season best.

Johnson was incredible, finishing with a season-high 29 points (11-19 FG, 3-6 3FG, 4-5 FT) to go with six rebounds, four assists and career-high tying six steals. Lavrenov, a true freshman, posted his second double-double of the season, and four of his 10 rebounds came on the offensive glass. Teat provided a big spark, scoring 12 points (4-5 3FG), including 3-for-3 from long range in the second half.

Taj Glover, who started in place of the injured Williams, had eight points, four rebounds and seven assists with just one turnover. Arman Madi, who transferred from Northern Arizona, had seven points, six rebounds and three assists against his former team. Jahni Summers added six points, Shaqir O'Neal five points, and Romari Robinson three points.

Sacramento State is back in action on Saturday vs. Northern Colorado. Tip at Hornet Pavilion is set for 7 p.m. Every home game the rest of the season will tip at 7 p.m.

NOTABLES
• Saturday's game vs. Northern Colorado will be televised locally on KMAX 31, as well as streamed on ESPN+. It will be the first of five home games that will air on KMAX, including three more Saturday games (Jan. 31, Feb. 7, Feb. 21) and a Monday contest (March 2)
• Hornet home football games have aired on KMAX each of the last six seasons
• The start for Glover - a redshirt freshman - was his second of the season