SACRAMENTO -- Prophet Johnson (27), Mikey Williams (23) and Mark Lavrenov (17) combined for 67 points to help Sacramento State to an 83-80 victory over Montana State on Thursday evening at Hornet Pavilion.

In a game the Hornets led for over 27 minutes of clock, Sacramento State shot a season-high 56% (32-57) from the field while also knocking down eight treys in 18 attempts (44%). The Hornets had a huge advantage in fast break points (24-2), and scored 40 of their 83 points in the paint - many off breakaway layup and dunk opportunities from the team's 11 steals.

Sacramento State also turned the ball over just 11 times, contributing to a 17-11 edge in points off turnovers. The Hornets held a 45-38 halftime lead only to see Montana State chip away, and eventually take its largest lead of the second half at 71-69 with 4:39 to play. However, the Hornets closed the final four minutes on a 14-9 run, which included six points from Williams. 

Perhaps the sequence of the game came with 30 seconds remaining. Montana Sate had the ball while trailing, 77-75, but Williams got a steal off a Jed Miller turnover, and fed a streaking Jahni Summers up the floor for a two-hand flush and a four -point lead. After the and-1 free throw from Summers gave the Hornets a five-point advantage, Sacramento State made three of its last four free throws to help put the game away. Williams buried two clutch free throws with four seconds left to give the Hornets a three-point lead, and Miller's desperation halfcourt heave at the buzzer was off the mark.

The win improved Sacramento State to 7-13 overall, 3-5 in the Big Sky Conference, and 7-1 at home. That includes five straight home wins. In fact, the team hasn't lost at home since Nov. 11. The Hornets played in front of another large crowd as the fixed seating of Hornet Pavilion was sold out yet again.

Montana State, one of the top teams in the Big Sky, dropped to 13-9 and 7-2 in conference play. The Bobcats had won four straight, and nine of their last 10 games. The Hornets also snapped a three-game losing streak to Montana State. The Bobcats, who entered the game with an average of 10.0 treys made per game, were 43% (15-for-35) from beyond the arc this evening. In fact, the Bobcats made more threes (15) than twos (11). 

Johnson posted his eighth game with at least 20 points as the senior guard finished with 27 points (three away from his season high) to go with five rebounds, six assists and a pair of steals. That included a big first half in which he had 17 points. Williams posted his fourth 20-point contest in his last six games after finishing with 23 points, five assists and two steals. He led the Hornets in scoring in the second half with 14. Williams - just a sophomore - leads the Hornets with 21.7 points per game in conference play.

Lavrenov continues to make a case for Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors after registering his fourth double-double in the last five games. The forward finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds, two blocked shots, and was a game-high +7 in plus/minus. He upped his Big Sky averages to 15.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest.

Arman Madi added nine points (4-4 FG) and a career-best five steals, and Summers added five points and a pair of assists.

The Hornets were playing without multiple players to injuries this evening, including Jeremiah Cherry, Brandon Gardner, Isaiah Bronson and Davis Ambuehl. Cherry and Gardner were both starters at the times of their injuries.

Tonight was the first of a season-long four game homestand, and the first of a stretch that will see the Hornets play three home games over a five-day span. That includes Saturday vs. Montana, and Monday vs. Weber State.

The Hornets will host Montana on Saturday at 7 p.m. in what is expected to be another sellout. The team will also host Weber State on Monday at 7 p.m.

NOTABLES
• The four teams the Hornets play on this homestand (Montana State, Montana, Weber State, Portland State) take up four of the top five spots in the Big Sky standings
• The game on Monday will be the last time the Hornets will play Weber State as a member of the Big Sky Conference. Sacramento State is joining the Big West next season
• The Hornets entered tonight's game 24th in the nation with an average of 18.9 free throws made per game, but went just 11-for-14 from the stripe.