STUCKEY’S 31 POINTS LEADS EASTERN WASHINGTON TO VICTORY OVER MEN’S BASKETBALL

1/25/2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Reigning Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player Rodney Stuckey scored 31 points, including 15-of-16 from the free throw line, to lead Eastern Washington to a 100-85 victory over Sacramento State in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Thursday evening at the Hornets Nest.

The Hornets blew a 15-point first half lead (33-18 with 9:17 left), as Eastern Washington closed the first stanza on a 29-14 run to tie the score at halftime, 47-47. Both teams played fairly even during the first 10 minutes of the second half before the Eagles used a 12-2 run to take an 86-70 lead with 6:03 remaining. The Hornets got no closer than within 11 points of EWU’s lead the rest of the way.

Sacramento State was whistled for 18 fouls in the second half, and Eastern Washington took advantage, converting 21-of-27 free throws. The Eagles finished the game 32-of-41 (.780) from the charity stripe, and a blazing 34-of-58 (.586) from the field. The Eagles, who did not hit a three-pointer during the entire contest, shot 66.7 percent (16-24) from the floor in the second half, while finishing the game with a 45-30 rebounding advantage.

Stuckey entered the game fifth in the nation with an average of 23.4 points per game, and improved that mark with 31 more tonight. He shot 8-of-19 from the floor while adding seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in 38 minutes. Paul Butorac had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Kellen Williams added 11 points and nine rebounds as Eastern Washington won for the third time in four games and improved to 11-10 overall and 5-4 in the Big Sky.

Sacramento State (7-13, 2-5) lost its season high fifth straight game and each of those losses have come by at least nine points. The Hornets also lost their third straight at home, and return to the Nest tomorrow night for a matchup with Portland State at 7:05 p.m. During the five game losing streak, Sacramento State is shooting 37.3 percent (128-343) and getting outrebounded by more than 12 rebounds per game. In addition, opponents have combined to shoot 58.4 percent (149-255) from the field over the five-game span.

Three Hornets scored in double figures, led by senior Alex Bausley’s 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and six steals. The fourth-year senior, who shot 10-of-14 from the field, is now one rebound shy of breaking the Sacramento State Div. I (1990-pres.) career record for rebounds. Both Bausley and Michael Boyd (1993-97) are tied with 507 rebounds.

Joining Bausley in double figures for the Hornets were sophomore Loren Leath (16 points) and junior Angel Alamo (11 points, five rebounds). Junior Davon Roberts added nine points, five rebounds and a career-high tying three blocked shots. Sacramento State committed just seven turnovers and shot well from the field (.459, 34-74), but could not overcome its defensive deficiencies. In addition, the Hornets struggled badly from the free throw line (.471, 8-17).

Eastern Washington dominated the interior, scoring 52 of its 100 points inside the paint, many coming on putbacks from one of the team’s 14 offensive rebounds. The Hornets received 48 points off the bench, and 11 of the team’s 12 players cracked into the scoring column.

After tomorrow night’s game against Portland State, the Hornets conclude their season-long three game homestand with a matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 31, against conference newcomer Northern Colorado.