Saint Mary’s, who improved to 5-3 with the victory, shot 51.7 percent in the first half and improved that mark in the second half (62.5 percent). Joining Marigney in double figures for the Gaels were E.J. Rowland (18), Daniel Kickert (17), Tyler Herr (12) and Frederic Adjiwanou (11). After a three-pointer by Herr put Saint Mary’s ahead, 7-5, in the early stages of the game, the Gaels never trailed the rest of the way.

With the loss, Sacramento State lost its third straight while falling to 3-4. The Hornets recorded a better three-point percentage (8-21, 38.1 percent) than their overall field-goal percentage (22-61, 36.1 percent). Sacramento State forced the Gaels into 21 turnovers but was outrebounded, 41-33. The Hornets had gone five-consecutive games without being outrebounded until tonight’s loss.

Senior Joseth Dawson led the Hornets with 18 points as the shooting guard went 3-of-6 from beyond the three-point line and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line. Joining Dawson in double figures for Sacramento State were seniors Brandon Guyton (14 points, three three-pointers) and Joel Jones (14 points and a game-high three steals).

The Hornets shot just 32.0 percent (8-25) from the field in the first half as Saint Mary’s took a 42-30 lead into the break. The Gaels used a 9-1 run to take a 20-10 lead with 11:17 remaining in the first half. Both teams traded baskets the rest of the half until a tip-in by Kickert at the buzzer gave the Gaels a 12-point halftime advantage. Kickert scored 13 of his 17 points in the first half.

Saint Mary’s scored the first four points of the second half to take a commanding 46-30 lead with 18:21 remaining in the contest. Sacramento State clawed its way back to within seven points (54-47) of the Gael lead with 12:41. The Hornets had the chance to cut the lead to four points, but a Guyton three-point attempt was off the mark. Marigney grabbed the ensuing rebound and went coast to coast for a lay-up and a nine-point Saint Mary’s lead. Sacramento State would get no closer than within seven points the rest of the way as Saint Mary’s opened up a lead as large as 19 points in the second half.

Marigney finished 9-of-12 from the field, while also recording six rebounds, two assists, one blocked shot and one steal in 26 minutes. Rowland shot 5-of-8 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line for his 18 points.

Sacramento State has now shot below 37.0 percent from the field in three-straight games and has lost all three of those contests. The Hornets finished with eight three-pointers as the team has knocked down at least six treys in every game this season.

The Hornets return to action this Saturday, Dec. 13, as the team travels to San Jose State to take on the Spartans at 2 p.m. Sacramento State defeated San Jose State last season, snapping a string of 12-consecutive victories by the Spartans over the Hornets.