Rashaad Hooks handed out a career-high 10 assists.

The improved Sacramento State to 8-10 overall and 2-2 in the Big Sky Conference. The Bobcats, who had won nine in a row and were ranked 20th in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Poll, fell to 12-7 overall and 5-1 in conference games.

The Hornets trailed only three times during the contest and led for the final 34 minutes of the game. MSU scored the games first points on a layup by Damir Latovic. Sacramento State tied the game before Latovic gave Montana State and 4-2 edge. After a Dawson three-pointer, Latovic made his third layup for the Bobcats’ final advantage, 6-5, with 14:34 on the clock.

From that point, Sacramento State went on a 22-11 run to build a 10-point lead. Montana State was able to pull back within three, 29-26, before the Hornets posted a 9-2 spurt to close the half and give the team a 38-28 lead at intermission. Highlighting the late run was an alley-oop from Dawson to Jones. Dawson’s pass was slightly off to the right side of the basket but Jones was able to grab the pass and complete the dunk.

The Bobcats trimmed their the deficit to six points in the opening minutes of the second half but Sacramento State responded with five-straight points behind a layup by Tony Champion and a Dawson trey. The lead remained 11, 50-39, with 12:15 to play before the Hornets went on an 11-2 run to put the game away. During the streak, the Hornets received three-pointers from Jones, Rashaad Hooks and Rene Jacques.

The team was able to push the advantage to 25 on two occasions and never led by less than 20 points for the remainder of the contest.

Montana State entered the game as the league’s top defensive squad allowing just 65.2 points per game. The Hornets, however, joined Fresno State as the only teams to score 75 or more points against the Bobcats this year. As a team, Sacramento State shot .516 (33-64). The team also connected on nine three-pointers.

Montana State ended the game 19-of-56 (.339) from the field. MSU outrebounded the Hornets, 38-36, and went to the line 17 more times (22-5). Once at the line, however, the Bobcats shot just .591 (13-22).

Joining Jones and Dawson in double figures were Cedric Thompkins, Rene Jacques and Jimmy White — each with 10 points. Thompkins and White also tied for the team lead with nine rebounds. Hooks led all players with a career-high 10 assists. The junior, who did not commit a turnover, became the first Hornet to crack double digits this season.

Montana State was led by Latovic and Aaron Rich with 12 points apiece. Latovic completed his double-double with a game-high 10 boards.

The margin of victory was the largest for Sacramento State against a Big Sky opponent. The margin of defeat was the largest by MSU against a league foe since the 1999-2000 season.

Sacramento State will continue its homestand against Montana on Saturday. The game, which will take place in Hornet Gym, will tip off at 7:05 p.m. and can be heard on KTKZ 1380 AM.

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