SACRAMENTO -- In a back and forth game that featured 24 lead changes and 13 ties, it was Portland State that made the last shot in a 74-73 win over Sacramento State on Saturday evening at Hornet Pavilion.

After a Mikey Williams jumper gave the Hornets a 73-72 lead with 2:16 to play, only two points were scored by both teams the rest of the way. Unfortunately for the Hornets, it was a Portland State layup by Keyon Kensie Jr. at the 1:50 mark that provided the final bucket and final score. Sacramento State had three more possessions after the Williams make, but could not convert down the stretch. That included Jahni Summers' heavily contested runner in the lane getting blocked by Kensie Jr., as time expired.

Sacramento State used an 11-0 run in the second half to take its largest lead of the game at 60-50 with 11:04 to play. However, about two minutes later, the Vikings went on a 13-3 run to erase the deficit. From there, both teams battled back and forth, and the game was a one-possession affair the final 5:34.

Sacramento State's Prophet Johnson, who had a game-high 28 points, left the game at the 5:30 mark and did not return. That hurt the Hornets as Johnson was the best player on the floor all evening, connecting on 9-for-16 from the field, 4-of-6 from long range, and 6-for-8 from the free throw line. Williams also carried a big scoring load for Sacramento State, scoring 26 points (16-for-18 FT), including 19 in the second half. The 16 free throws made were one shy of the Hornets' Div. I-era record (1991-pres.).

The loss snapped the Hornets' three-game winning streak, and also ended the team's seven-game winning streak at home. Sacramento State lost for the first time at home to a Big Sky Conference opponent (5-1), and fell to 9-14 overall and 5-6 in league play. 

Despite the loss, today completed a successful season-long four game homestand. The Hornets went 3-1, which included three wins over a five-day span from Jan. 29-Feb. 2.

Meanwhile, Portland State, which sits comfortably in first place in the Big Sky standings, improved to 16-6 overall and 10-1 in league. The Vikings, who never led by more than four points, held a 32-31 halftime advantage.

Portland State, which had more size than the Hornets, held a 22-8 advantage in second chance points. They also attempted 11 more shots from the field, and outscored Sacramento State, 42-14, in paint points. The Hornets shot 46% (10-22) from the 3-point line and 83% (25-30) from the free throw line. Sacramento State had just eight turnovers, and held a 16-7 advantage in points off miscues.

Besides Johnson (28) and Williams (26), no other Hornet finished in double figures. Summers had nine points on 3-for-6 from distance, and Shaqir O'Neal posted a team-high eight rebounds before fouling out midway through the second half. Taj Glover had five points and four rebounds, and Arman Madi three points, three rebounds and four assists. Jayden Teat added two points and three boards.

A pair of Portland State players had double-doubles, including Kensie Jr. (14 pts, 16 reb) and Tre-Vaughn Minott (13 pts, 12 reb).

Sacramento State returns to the road next week for matchups on Thursday at Northern Colorado (5 pm PT), and Saturday at Northern Arizona (5 pm PT).

NOTABLES
• Tonight's attendance was 3,016, as the Hornets have consistently sold out the fixed seating portion of Hornet Pavilion. Sacramento State is averaging 2,728 fans per game, the third best mark in the Big Sky
• Starter Jeremiah Cherry missed his 17th straight game with injury, while fellow starter Brandon Gardner missed his seventh consecutive game