MEN’S BASKETBALL OFF TO 2-0 START AFTER HANDLING CENTRAL ARKANSAS, 75-54

11/13/2011

Junior John Dickson had 16 points (7-of-9 shooting) and nine rebounds in today's victory over the Bears

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento State’s John Dickson and Konner Veteto both scored a game-high 16 points, and the Hornets shot a blazing 57.1 percent (32-56) from the field on the way to a 75-54 victory over Central Arkansas in a non-conference men’s basketball game Sunday afternoon at The Nest.

After Central Arkansas took a 2-0 lead 16 seconds into the game, Sacramento State immediately responded with an 8-0 run and never trailed the rest of the way. The Hornets held an advantage the final 37:41 of the contest, building their lead to as large as 27 points midway through the second half before settling for the 21-point victory. In fact, the team held a double-digit lead the final 28:39 of the contest.

The Hornets shot 56.7 percent from the floor in the first half, and upped that mark to 57.7 percent in the second half. Sacramento State made each of its first five three-point attempts of the game and finished shooting 42.9 percent (6-14) from beyond the arc. In addition, Sacramento State had 21 assists with just nine turnovers while also outrebounding Central Arkansas, 39-30. Hornet freshman point guard Dylan Garrity had nine of those assists and did not commit a turnover.

With the victory, Sacramento State (2-0) has now won its first two games of the season for the first time since the 2000-01 season. Central Arkansas, which opened the year with a loss at Stanford on Friday night, fell to 0-2.

Dickson’s 16 points came on 7-of-9 shooting as the junior also added a game-high nine rebounds in 24 minutes of play. He was one of six Sacramento State players to shoot 50 percent or better from the field. One of those players was Veteto, who shot 8-of-15 from the field, while also finishing with three rebounds, two steals and two dunks.

Sacramento State outscored Central Arkansas, 23-6, in fast break points and much of that had to do with the play of guards Garrity and Jordan Estrada (five assists) who combined to pick apart the Bears defense. The Hornets’ starting backcourt combined for 14 assists and just two turnovers with Estrada playing 38 minutes and Garrity playing 36 minutes.

"We were giving up athleticism and size at every position, but our guys responded with a well-played game," Sacramento State fourth-year head coach Brian Katz said. "This is a good win for the team, but its just one game and we need to build on it as we go forward."

Joining Dickson and Veteto in double-figure scoring for the Hornets was junior Joe Eberhard who finished with 12 points (5-of-7 shooting), seven rebounds and three assists and in 37 minutes. Three different Sacramento State newcomers (Garrity, Estrada and Eberhard) each played at least 36 minutes in today’s game. Estrada had nine points and three rebounds to go along with his five assists. Senior center Josh McCarver matched his career high with eight points (4-of-4 shooting) in 12 minutes.

Six different Hornets had at least three rebounds, including Walter Jackson (five points, six rebounds and two blocks) and Garrity (four rebounds).

For Central Arkansas, Terry Tidwell (11 points and seven rebounds) and Robert Crawford (11 points) were the lone Bears in double figures. Central Arkansas was limited to 37.5 percent shooting (21-56) from the field and 27.8 percent (5-18) from the three-point line. Both teams didn’t shoot particularly well from the free throw line (Hornets 5-of-12; Bears 7-of-15).

Sacramento State returns to action next week when the team travels to Washington State on Thursday for a 7:05 p.m. tip.