Fresh off a homestand in which the team went 3-1, the Sacramento State men''s basketball squad (8-14, 4-5) hits the road for the first time since Jan. 22 when the team travels to Ogden, Utah, to take on Big Sky Conference rival Weber State on Thursday, Feb. 10. Tipoff against the Wildcats is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PST. The Hornets defeated Weber State, 78-72, earlier this season in Sacramento, but have never won in Ogden. In fact, Sacramento State is 0-11 when playing on Weber State''s home turf, including a 65-54 loss last season.

Thursday night''s contest can be heard locally on KTKZ 1380 AM with Steve McElroy handling the play-by-play. For those outside the greater Sacramento area, the contest will also be broadcast live via the internet at www.hornetsports.com, by clicking on the Live Audio link and scrolling down to the men''s basketball schedule.

Sacramento State, which has been impressive at home this season (8-3), has struggled badly on the road as the team is winless in 11 chances. However, the Hornets have shown signs of digging out of their road doldrums since entering Big Sky play. Of the team''s four Big Sky losses, two were by three points (Eastern Washington and Montana State), and the Hornets trailed Montana by one point with five minutes to play before eventually losing.

The Hornets are currently in a two-way tie for fourth place in the Big Sky standings with Eastern Washington, two games behind third-place Montana. Weber State sits in seventh place with a 3-7 record (8-14 overall). The top six finishers in the eight-team league advance to the Big Sky Tournament (March 5-9), a place the Hornets have been each of the last two years. Sacramento State needs to go 3-2 during its final conference games (two at home, three on the road) to match last year''s school-best 7-7 mark in the Big Sky.

Weber State has lost three-straight games and each of those losses were on the road. However, prior to the three-game losing streak, the Wildcats won three straight at home. WSU is 3-1 at home against Big Sky competition, and 0-6 on the road. Weber State, which has scored more than 72 points just twice this season, owns a commanding 19-2 record in the all-time series against Sacramento State.

Meet the Coaches

Jerome Jenkins is currently in his fifth season at Sacramento State. Since taking over a struggling program in 2000-01, the Hornets have improved their overall and conference records each season (5-22, 2-14 in 2000-01; 9-19, 3-11 in 2001-02; 12-17, 5-9 in 2002-03; and finally 13-15, 7-7 last season).

Jenkins, who has led the Hornets to the Big Sky Tournament each of the last two years, has a 47-86 record during his tenure as head coach. In 2003-04, he led the Hornets to numerous Div. I program records including most wins (13), most conference wins (seven), highest finish in the Big Sky Conference (tied for second), best winning percentage (.481), most home victories (10), most conference wins at home (five) and the most bench points in a game (71 at No. Arizona).

The 37-year old coach came to Sacramento State prior to the 1999-2000 season and served as the team’s top assistant coach that year. Jenkins previously had worked two seasons as an assistant at Eastern Washington (1997-99). Prior to working at EWU, he spent four seasons at Diablo Valley College, where he was an assistant coach (1993-95) and associate head coach (1995-97).

A native of Los Angeles, Jenkins was an all-conference point guard at L.A. City College as a freshman before playing his sophomore season at Southwestern Oregon CC. He then transferred to Regis University in Denver, Colo., where he played his final two seasons. While with the Rangers, he was twice named all-conference.

In five-plus years at Weber State, head coach Joe Cravens has posted a winning mark each season and has averaged more than 18 wins per game over that span. The Big Sky Coach of the Year in 2002-03, Cravens has led the Wildcats to Big Sky Tournament appearances each year, including the semifinals (2001, 2002) and a championship in 2003. Cravens was an assistant at Weber State for two years prior to taking the head job in 1999. He was also a head coach at Idaho (1993-96) and Utah (interim in 1989-90).

A Look at the Hornets'' Last Game

Portland State’s Blake Walker scored a game-high 26 points, including a three-pointer with 2:07 left in the game to break a 64-64 tie, as the Vikings defeated Sacramento State, 71-66.

Portland State, which also went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the final 13 seconds to seal the victory, snapped Sacramento State''s season-high seven-game home winning streak. The streak had been the team’s longest since an eight-gamer during both the 1987-88 and 1988-89 seasons.

Portland State never trailed in the second half as the Hornets clawed their way back from an 11-point halftime deficit. The Vikings took a 10-point lead (59-49) with 7:48 remaining in the game, but the Hornets were able to tie the game at 62-62 (3:05) after a three-pointer from Jameel Pugh capped a 13-3 run. Both teams exchanged a pair of free throws before Walker’s sixth three-pointer of the season gave the Vikings a three-point lead (67-64) with 2:07 left on the clock.

Sacramento State’s Jason Harris and Randy Adams each made 1-of-2 free throws to get the Hornets back within one point (67-66). Portland State’s Seamus Boxley, who had 23 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, was fouled with 13 seconds remaining and converted both of his free throws to put Portland State back up three points (69-66). The Hornets had two chances to tie in the waning moments, but three-pointers from Pugh and Alex Bausley fell off the mark, and PSU iced the game with two free throws (0:02) from Walker.

Despite shooting just 25.9 percent from the field (the team’s second-to-lowest output of the season) and being outrebounded, 53-37, Sacramento State was able to compensate by forcing 18 Portland State turnovers and burying 30 free throws (in 44 attempts) to keep the game close. The Hornets, who were led by Jason Harris’ 21 points, outscored Portland State, 37-31, in the second half.

Harris was joined in double figures by senior Jameel Pugh (19 points, and a team-high four three-pointers and seven rebounds) and junior DaShawn Freeman (11 points, six rebounds and three steals). Freeman, who is averaging 17.3 points over his last three games, played just one first-half minute because of foul trouble. PSU was able to take advantage of Freeman’s absence as it outscored the Hornets, 40-29, in the first stanza.

A Look at the Hornets

Harris Leading The Charge

Not only has junior swingman Jason Harris made a case for Big Sky Newcomer of the Year honors, the first-year player from Chaffey Junior College is now making a statement as one of the league''s top players. Harris, who is second in the league in scoring (17.7 ppg) and scoring against Big Sky competition (21.8 ppg), ranks among conference leaders (all games) in scoring, rebounding, steals, assists, free-throw percentage, blocked shots, offensive rebounds, free throws, free throws attempted and free-throw percentage. That includes second in offensive rebounds (2.52 per game) and free throws attempted per game (8.0), third in steals (2.14 spg) and 10th in rebounding (4.9 rpg).

He has scored at least nine points in all but one game this season and has posted double-figure points in each of his last 10 games. In addition, he has scored at least 21 points in each of his last four games and five of the last six. The Henderson, Texas, native has led or shared the team lead in scoring 15 times and already has eight games with at least 20 points.

With just 11 more free-throw attempts, Harris will have 178 this year, which would break Joseth Dawson''s Sacramento State Div. I (1991-pres.) record of 177 free-throw attempts (set last season). Harris attempted a Div. I record 19 free-throw attempts on Saturday against Portland State and is on pace to break the school single-season record of 205 (set in 1965-66 by Lynn Livie). He is also on pace to convert 147 free throws, which would rank as the top Div. I single-season mark and tie him for second in school history.

On his current pace, Harris, who missed the William Jessup game with the flu, would also finish the regular season ranked among the top four players in Sacramento State Div. I history in points (460, 2nd) and steals (56, 4th). His average of 17.7 points per game would rank just below Charlo Davis'' Div. I season record of 18.0 ppg (set in 1991-92). Harris is also averaging a team-high 33.7 minutes per game and has played at least 36 minutes in six of his last 10 contests.

A Streak To Remember

Senior Jameel Pugh, who earned his first-ever Big Sky Conference Player of the Week award last week, has recorded one of the more impressive four-game stretches in recent memory.

Over the last four games, Pugh is averaging 25.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 50.8 percent (33-65) from the field and 51.1 percent (23-45) from beyond the three-point line.

He is averaging 5.8 three-pointers per game during the four-game stretch after converting just 12 three-pointers during his first 15 games of the season. In fact, he has at least four three-pointers in all four games, and his eight three-pointers against William Jessup tied a school record.

Also in the William Jessup game, Pugh scored a Sacramento State Div. I (1991-pres.) single-game record 40 points to go along with a career-high four steals. He went 15-of-22 from the field and 8-of-13 from beyond the three-point arc. He also set Sacramento State Div. I records for field goals made. His 40 points were the third most in school history and the most by any member of the Big Sky this year.

Against Portland State, he tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals. He had 24 points and a season-high tying nine rebounds against Eastern Washington, and 20 points, four rebounds and two steals vs. Northern Arizona. In fact, his last four contests have been four of his top five scoring games of the season. He also had 25 against Southern Utah on Nov. 22.

The 6-5, 225-pound swingman has scored in double figures in eight-consecutive games, and against Big Sky competition, Pugh is averaging 16.0 ppg, the fourth-best mark in the conference.

Through his first 11 games of the season, Pugh was shooting a woeful 29.1 percent (37-127) from the field while averaging 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game. However, Pugh has dramatically improved those numbers over his last eight games. During that span, the Sacramento native is averaging 20.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 47.0 percent (54-115) from the field and 44.3 percent (27-61) from beyond the three-point line.

Although Pugh has established himself as a deadly three-point shooter over the last few weeks, he made a name for himself with his dunking ability. In fact, he was named the World''s Best Dunker in 2000 by Slam Magazine and the 33rd-best dunker of all-time by the same publication.

Pugh''s season thus far is very similar to last year in which he averaged 11.8 points and 1.8 steals on 51.0 percent shooting over his final 12 contests. During his first 16 games of the 2003-04 season, he averaged 7.4 points and 0.8 steals on 37.7 percent shooting.

Home Sweet Home

As bad as the Hornets have been on the road this year (0-11), the team has more than held up its end of the bargain at home. Sacramento State is 8-3 at home this year, and just had its seven-game winning streak snapped on Saturday in a loss to Portland State. The Hornets had also won a program-record eight-straight Big Sky home games dating back to last season prior to Saturday''s loss.

Below is a breakdown of the Hornets'' home-road disparity, including the team averaging 74.3 points per at home compared to just 59.3 on the road.

Home Away

Points Per Game 74.3 59.3

Points Allowed Per Game 68.5 75.0

Field-Goal Percentage .418 .343

Three-Point Percentage .360 .275

Free Throw Attempts 26.3 18.5

Rebounds Per Game 37.5 33.8

Turnovers 14.7 17.4

Forced Turnovers 19.2 18.1

Assists Per Game 14.3 7.8

Steals Per Game 11.0 8.5

Fouls Per Game 20.3 26.0

Free-Throw Fever

Over the last three games, Sacramento State is averaging 37.3 free-throw attempts per game. That includes 44 free-throw attempts Saturday against Portland State, just three attempts shy of the team''s Div. I record of 47, set in 1992 against Chicago State.

The Hornets shot 18-of-30 against Northern Arizona, 31-of-38 vs. Eastern Washington, and 30-of-44 against Portland State. The 44 attempts vs. PSU and 38 against EWU were the team''s largest two outputs of the season, and the 30 attempts against NAU was the team''s fifth-best output.

Sacramento State, which is shooting 66.1 percent (325-492) from the line this year, is currently averaging a Big Sky-best 26.1 free-throw attempts per game against conference competition. Also in league play, the Hornets are first in the Big Sky with a 72.3 (170-235) free-throw percentage. In fact, free-throw points have accounted for over 25 percent of the team''s offense (27.2 percent) in conference play.

M.V.-Free

Along with Jason Harris, junior point guard DaShawn Freeman has been one of the most valuable players on Sacramento State''s roster this year. Freeman, who has played the last two months of the season with a hamstring injury, is averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game over his last five contests. That includes a performance against Northern Arizona on Jan. 29 where the Oakland, Calif., native tallied a career-high 27 points to go along with five rebounds and seven assists.

Although Freeman has not played more than 30 minutes in a game since suffering the injury on Jan. 6 at Portland State, the third-year player still ranks among the top four Big Sky leaders in three different categories. Those include first in steals (and 12th in the nation with 2.77 spg), and fourth in both assists (4.27 apg) and free-throw percentage (.786).

Freeman has scored in double figures four times in his last five games after accomplishing the feat six times during his first 17 games of the season.

Playing the best basketball of his Sacramento State career, the 5-11, 170-pound point guard is averaging career highs in points (9.2 ppg), rebounds (3.3 rpg), assists (4.3 apg) and steals (2.8 spg), three-pointers (20), free throws (66) and free throws attempted (84).

In addition, he is shooting 47.1 percent (8-17) from the three-point line over his last six games after shooting just 30.0 percent (12-40) in his first 16 games.

Earlier this year, Freeman became the Sacramento State Div. I (1991-pres.) career leader in both assists (288) and steals (180). He currently has 61 steals this year and is on pace to finish the regular season with a career-high 75 steals.

In Sacramento State program history, Freeman now ranks second in steals and fourth in assists. The program record for steals is 210, set by Pat Wallace (1989-93).

Freeman is not the only player that thrives under head coach Jerome Jenkins’ defensive intensity. As a team, the Hornets have led the Big Sky in steals each of the last four years, and easily lead the conference with 9.77 per game this year. A total of three Hornets currently rank among the top 10 Big Sky leaders in steals, including Freeman, Jason Harris (third with 2.14 per game) and Jameel Pugh (10th with 1.26).

A Changed Man

One season removed from a year in which he averaged just 2.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game, sophomore forward Alex Bausley has grown leaps and bounds this season. The Los Angeles native is now averaging 10.3 points (third on the Hornets) to go along with a team-leading 5.3 rebounds per game.

Bausley had double-doubles (points and rebounds) against both Idaho State and Weber State, and now has a team-high three double-doubles this season. The 6-6, 235-pound second-year player is sixth in the Big Sky with an average of 6.0 rebounds per game against conference competition.

Bausley, who dropped 35 pounds from his playing weight of 270 last season, has scored in double figures 12 times this season (including five of the last eight games) and has led the team in scoring six times. The sophomore paces the team with 39 three-pointers and is averaging 1.77 made per game (ninth in the Big Sky).

Hornet Notables

Jameel Pugh is shooting 43.8 percent from the field at home this season compared to just 28.1 percent on the road...senior E.J. Harris has started nine-consecutive games, averaging 27.0 minutes per game over that span.

A Look at The Last Meeting

Junior swingman Jason Harris scored a career-high 31 points and the Hornets committed just six turnovers on the way to a 78-72 victory over Weber State on Jan. 15 at the Hornets Nest.

Harris, who went 10-of-16 from the field, 4-of-6 from beyond the three-point line and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, also added nine rebounds and three steals. He had five of his points (including a crucial three-point play with 1:40 to play) and two rebounds during the final two minutes of the game to help the Hornets ice the victory.

Weber State got 16 points and 21 rebounds from senior Lance Allred, and 23 points and 15 rebounds from Coric Riggs.

Weber State dominated the glass as the Wildcats outrebounded the Hornets, 50-30, including 19 offensive rebounds (eight from Allred and seven from Coric Riggs). Sacramento State compensated for the rebounding disparity by forcing the Wildcats into 18 turnovers while committing just six of its own (including two in the second half). Moreover, the Hornets shot 80.0 percent (16-20) from the free-throw line while also tallying a season-high tying 16 assists to go along with 11 steals and five blocked shots. The six turnovers were the fewest in a game by the Hornets since the team had five against Portland State on Feb. 6, 1997.

Joining Harris in double figures were Jameel Pugh (15 points, four rebounds and two steals) and Alex Bausley (11 points and 11 rebounds).

No team led by more than 10 points during the entire contest as the game featured nine ties and 10 lead changes. Weber State took its largest lead of the night at three points (61-58) with 5:57 to play. Both teams then exchanged baskets over the next three minutes until Harris blocked a shot from Jamaal Jenkins, grabbed the rebound and fed to Pugh for a breakaway dunk, giving the Hornets a 67-65 lead with 2:26 remaining.

After a missed shot from Weber State’s David Patten, the Hornets retook possession of the ball and Harris eventually drove the baseline and converted a lay-up while being fouled. Harris knocked down the ensuing free throw to give the Hornets a five-point lead with 1:40 to play. Weber State got no closer than three points the rest of the way.

A Look at The Wildcats

• Since beginning play in 1962-63, Weber State is 484-100 all-time on its home floor. That includes a 305-82 record since moving into the Dee Events Center in 1977-78.

• Senior center Lance Allred is averaging a team-high 17.2 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. His rebounding average is the fourth-best mark in the nation as he has 14 double-doubles this season and 19 during his career.

• Junior forward Coric Riggs, who had 23 points and 15 rebounds earlier this year vs. the Hornets, has scored in double figures nine-straight games.

Who’s Up Next

Sacramento State travels to Idaho State on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. PST. The Hornets, who defeated the Bengals, 61-59, earlier this year in Sacramento, are 3-14 all-time against Idaho State. The Hornets lost by one point (82-81) at Idaho State last year and have not defeated the Bengals in Pocatello since joining the Big Sky (0-8).