The Bobcats took a game-high 14-point lead (66-52) with 7:41 to play, but Sacramento State went on its 20-4 run which used up just 5:32 of the clock to retake a 72-70 lead with 2:03 to play. During the run, DaShawn Freeman, Clark Woods, Alex Bausley and Loren Leath all knocked down three-pointers. However, Ja’Ron Jefferson answered with a jumper to tie the score at 72-72 with 2:03 remaining.

Woods hit 1-of-2 free throws to give the Hornets the lead again, but Al Beye answered with a dunk that put MSU on top, 74-73, with 1:31 to play. A lay-up by Nick Dissly on the Bobcats’ next possession gave MSU a 76-73 lead with 1:04 remaining, but the Hornets’ Davon Roberts answered with a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 76-75 with 49 seconds left. Montana State then used 29 seconds off the shot clock before Marvin Moss converted on two free throws after being fouled while driving to the bucket. With MSU leading, 78-75, and 20 seconds remaining, Sacramento State had a chance to tie in waning seconds, but three-point attempts by Bausley and Leath fell off the mark.

A series of winning streaks for Sacramento State were snapped, including overall victories (five), Big Sky regular-season victories (eight), consecutive wins over Montana State in Sacramento (six), consecutive wins at home (seven) and consecutive victories when scoring at least 75 points (21). With the loss, the Hornets dropped to 13-6 overall and 4-1 in the conference. Sacramento State, which shot just 36.5 percent (23-63) from the field and 28.6 percent (10-35) from beyond the arc, was still playing without the services of senior swingman Jason Harris. However, Harris’ eligibility will be recertified tomorrow (Jan. 20), and effective on Saturday, Jan. 21, in time for the Hornets’ game against Montana at 7:05 p.m.

Montana State has now won five of its last six to improve to 10-8 and 3-1 in the Big Sky. The Bobcats, who were selected to win the conference in the preseason coaches and media polls, were playing their first Big Sky road game of the season.

Jefferson scored 18 of his game-high 22 points in the second half as the senior guard finished the game 9-of-16 from the floor and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. The Bobcats shot 51.9 percent (27-52) from the floor, including a blistering 75.0 percent (15-20) in the second half. MSU also knocked down nine three-pointers in 21 attempts (42.9 percent) and outrebounded the Hornets, 39-34. Five Bobcats had at least eight points, comprised of Jefferson, Derrick Edmonds (11 points, six rebounds), Marvin Moss (11 points, six assists), Casey Durham (eight points, six rebounds, two steals) and Beye (eight points).

The Hornets led for the majority of the first half and had a 43-39 lead with 16:01 remaining in the second until Montana State used a 14-0 run to take a 53-43 lead with 12:24 left. The Bobcats eventually extended their lead to 14 points before the Hornets went on their run.

Woods led Sacramento State with a career-high tying 20 points (7-of-16 shooting) while Bausley added 14 points and a team-high tying five rebounds to round out the Hornets in double figures. Freeman finished with seven points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals. The Oakland, Calif., native is now tied for the all-time Big Sky career steals lead (255) with Kevin Soares, who played at Nevada from 1988-92.

Junior Aaron Perry added a season-high nine points and junior Haron Hargrave had eight, but it was not enough for Sacramento State, which hadn’t lost at the Hornets Nest since last year.

Northern Arizona, which defeated Montana (83-80) at home tonight, is now the lone team in the Big Sky with an undefeated record (5-0). The Hornets will host Montana (3-1) on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 7:05 p.m.