Senior Rene Jacques led all players with a season-high 22 points.

The win snapped the Hornets’ four-game losing streak and improved the squad to 9-14 overall and 3-6 in the Big Sky Conference. Both the overall and conference win totals tie the school record for a season since the team moved to Division I in 1991-92. The Bengals fell to 9-13 overall and 2-7 in league games while dropping their seventh-consecutive game.

The Sacramento State victory coupled with losses by ISU and Portland State places the Hornets in sole possession of sixth place in the Big Sky standings. The top six teams at the end of the year advance to the Big Sky Tournament.

The Hornets led from start to finish in the game and received a fairly balanced scoring attack. Joining Jacques in double figures were Joel Jones (19 points), Joe Dawson (17) and Cedric Thompkins (11). Sacramento State shot a season-high .571 (32-56) from the field but struggled from behind the arc (6-of-18) and at the free throw line (20-for-33).

The Hornets built a quick six-point advantage at the start of the game but watched as Idaho State pulled back within one. Sacramento State responded with a 6-0 run to lead, 14-7, with 13:41 on the clock but ISU matched the run to make the score 14-13. The two teams traded baskets for the next 11 minutes until the Hornets ended the period with a three-pointer by Dawson and a dunk by Thompkins to take a 43-34 lead into the locker room.

Sacramento State shot .600 (18-30) in the first half while holding ISU to .379 (11-29). The Bengals, however, were able to stay close by making 10-of-13 free throw attempts compared to a dismal 5-of-11 by the Hornets.

Sacramento State opened the second half on a 7-2 run and led by 14, 50-36, with 17:26 left in the game. Idaho State was able to cut the deficit to four points (52-48) but allowed Jones and Jacques to hit back-to-back threes to push the Sacramento State lead back to 10. The Hornets eventually led 73-58 with 5:27 to play before the Bengals made one final surge.

ISU sparked its comeback with a 17-6 run. During the spurt, Danny Boticki scored eight points including a pair of three pointers. D’Marr Suggs and Jeremy Brown also buried long-range shots to make the score 79-75 with 1:13 remaining. Jacques helped end the run with a pair of free throws but Dion Jackson drove the length of the court for a layup with 53 second to play.

After Joel Jones made one free throw, Idaho State worked the ball to Jesse Smith who drove the baseline and was whistled for a charge during collision with Jacques. Dawson was fouled on the ensuing play and made both free throws to seal the game for the Hornets.

Dawson recorded his first career double-double with 10 assists. The junior joined Rashaad Hooks as the only Hornets to have 10 assists this year. Jay Richardson led the team in rebounding for the second-straight game with nine boards.

The Hornets will travel to Northern Arizona for a single-game next week. The contest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16, beginning at 6:05 p.m. PST. The game can be heard on KTKZ 1380 AM or www.hornetsports.com.

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