The win improved the Wildcats to 11-6 overall and evened the team’s conference mark at 2-2. The Hornets fell to 6-10 overall and 0-2 in league games. The loss also dropped Sacramento State to 0-13 all-time against Weber State and 0-42 in Big Sky road games.

The Wildcats led by as many as 16 points on two occasions in the second half before Sacramento State made a late surge. The Hornets, who trailed 64-48 with 10:50 left, went on a 32-16 run to tie the game, 80-80, with 3:06 on the clock. After Weber State went back up by three, freshman Tony Champion converted a three-point play to tie the game for a second time. Boyette scored on a layup with 1:37 left to put WSU up, 85-83. The Hornets then committed turnovers on their next two possessions. Josh Hamilton made 1-of-2 free throws to give the Wildcats a three-point lead with 22 second remaining.

On Sacramento State’s final possession, Joe Dawson was fouled by Stevie Morrison while shooting a three-pointer with three seconds left. Dawson, who was 8-for-9 from the line, missed the first two free throws. After a timeout, Dawson intentionally missed the third attempt and the rebound was grabbed by Joel Jones who passed to Rene Jacques. Jacques’ three-point attempt, however, missed to give WSU the victory.

Sacramento State led just once, 2-0, in the entire game. The team was sparked at the start of the game by senior Ronnie Walton who scored the Hornets’ first nine points. Walton established a career high with 14 points on the night as he was 4-of-6 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the line.

Weber State led by 11 twice during the opening period. Sacramento State was able to close the gap to three, 30-27, with 3:44 remaining but then allowed the Wildcats to go on an 8-0 run to end the period.

WSU maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half until Sacramento State pulled within nine, 55-46, on a layup by Walton with 12:17 on the clock. Weber State quickly responded with a three by Morrison to push the lead to 12. The team’s last double-figure advantage came with 6:30 left as the Wildcats led 75-64. From that point, the Hornets went on an 18-5 run to tie the game.

During that stretch, five Sacramento State players scored including four points by Champion. Dawson tied the game with a three pointer to give him 18 points on the night.

Dawson was joined in double-figures by Walton (14) and Jones (12). Leo Cravey led Sacramento State with five rebounds but the Hornets were outboarded, 34-25.

Sacramento State will travel to Cal Poly on Wednesday, Jan. 16, for their final nonconference game of the season. The team will then return home to face Northern Arizona on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Hornet Gym.

---30--