CHENEY, Wash. -- Freshman Mark Lavrenov had a season-high tying 26 points, and senior Prophet Johnson added a double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds), but it was not enough in a 75-67 loss at Eastern Washington on Saturday afternoon at Reese Court.

The Eagles led for nearly 38 minutes of game clock, and used a 12-0 run towards the end of the first half that turned a 25-24 deficit into a 36-25 advantage. Sacramento State closed the first half on an 8-2 run to trail but just five at halftime (38-33), but the Eagles opened the second half on a 5-0 run to claim a 10-point lead (43-33). EWU held an advantage between five and 14 points the rest of the way.

Sacramento State was never truly out of the game, but the Eagles kept the Hornets from making a big run by holding large advantages in points off turnovers (21-12) and second chance points (20-9). The Hornets finished 24-for-28 (86%) from the free throw line, and saw their program-record streak of consecutive free throws made end at 34 early in the second half. Sacramento State made its final nine free throws vs. Northern Colorado, went 17-of-17 at Idaho State, and made its first eight free throws this afternoon.

The Hornets received another big performance from Lavrenov - a true freshman - who scored 26 points for the second time in three days. The forward went 6-for-8 from the field and 14-of-15 from the free throw line. The 14 made free throws tie for the third best mark in Sacramento State's Div. I single-game era (1991-pres.). He scored 20 points in the second half after scoring just six while dealing with foul trouble in the first half.

The loss dropped Sacramento State to 6-13 overall, and 2-5 in the Big Sky Conference. The Eagles, who seemingly play every opponent close, improved to 5-15 overall and 3-4 in the Big Sky. Eastern Washington has now won seven of the last eight meetings in the series.

Johnson, who snagged his 500th career Div. I rebound in the first half, secured his seventh double-double of the season. The 6-foot-3 guard is now just three double-doubles shy of Sacramento State's Div. I era record of 10, set by center Callum McRae in 2022-23. The 11 rebounds were nine more than any other Hornet in the contest, and four more than any player from Eastern Washington.

Redshirt freshman Taj Glover (3-5 FG, 3-4 3FG) finished with 10 points - one shy of his season best. The trio of Lavrenov (26), Johnson (18) and Glover (10) combined for 54 of the team's 67 points. Sophomore Mikey Williams had four points and a game-high five assists. Twenty-four of the Hornets' 67 points came from the free throw line, as Eastern Washington attempted 13 more shots from the field than Sacramento State.

The Hornets will spend the next two weeks at home, including a pair of matchups next week against the Montana schools. That includes Thursday vs. Montana State, and Saturday vs. Montana. Both games will start at 7 p.m.

NOTABLES

• Next week is the beginning of a season-long four game homestand that includes dates with Weber State (Feb. 2) and Portland State (Feb. 7). Both Saturday games during the homestand will also be televised locally on KMAX 31
• Lavrenov has connected on 22 of his last 23 free throw attempts. He saw his streak of three straight double-doubles come to a close this afternoon
• Jahni Summers and Shaqir O'Neal are the lone Hornets to start all 19 games this season