VETETO SCORES 24 AS MEN’S BASKETBALL THROTTLES NORTHERN ARIZONA, 77-43

1/28/2012

Center Konner Veteto had 24 points (9-of-11 shooting from the field) and seven rebounds in tonight's game

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Center Konner Veteto (24), shooting guard Jackson Carbajal (18) and point guard Dylan Garrity (11) combined for 53 points to help lead Sacramento State to a 77-43 victory over Northern Arizona in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Saturday evening at the Nest.

After Northern Arizona jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, Sacramento State immediately responded with a 16-4 run capped by a Garrity three-pointer to give the Hornets their first double-figure edge of the night at 16-6 with 12:39 remaining in the first half. Sacramento State would never lead by anything less than 10 points the remainder of the evening, holding a double-digit advantage the final 32:39 of the contest.

The 34-point margin of victory was Sacramento State’s largest against a Div. I team in the program’s Div. I history (1991-pres.). It was also the largest since the Hornets beat NAIA William Jessup by a 35-point spread (93-58) on Nov. 22, 2006.

A lot went right for the Hornets tonight as Sacramento State (6-14, 1-8) dominated in nearly every statistical category, including points in the paint (50-20), points off turnovers (25-9), second-chance points (17-8) and fast break points (17-4). The Hornets held a 43-30 rebounding advantage, shot 49.2 percent (32-65) from the field and committed a season-low six turnovers. All 12 players on the squad appeared in the game, and nine scored.

Conversely, Northern Arizona (5-16, 1-8) shot just 32.7 percent (17-52) from the field and 3-of-14 from long range while committing 16 turnovers and recording just two steals. The Lumberjacks were held to 19 points in the first half, and 24 points in the second half.

The victory squashed a pair of lengthy losing streaks for the Hornets, as the team had dropped 14 straight against NAU dating back to Feb. 26, 2005. In addition, Sacramento State, which has lost a number of heartbreakers this season, ended its nine-game losing streak. The Hornets hadn’t won since posting a 75-64 win over North Dakota on Dec. 18.

For Sacramento State, Veteto had a monster night, finishing with 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. The center from Auburn, Calif., also had seven rebounds in 20 minutes of play. Four of his nine made field goals were dunks, including two that resulted in a three-point play. Veteto, who also owns a 25-point game earlier this season against Idaho State, is now averaging 11.4 points per game against conference competition.

Carbajal’s 18 points were a career high as the sophomore finished 8-of-15 from the field while grabbing four rebounds. Garrity, who entered the game tied for 11th in the nation in assists per game, finished with 11 points, eight assists, no turnovers and three steals in 35 minutes of play. He is now averaging 6.4 assists per game. Swingman Joe Eberhard added eight points and game highs in both rebounds (8) and minutes (38). Forward John Dickson finished with four points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.

Sacramento State received 36 points off the bench, including seven from swingman Heath Hoffman. Fifteen of Sacramento State’s 43 rebounds were on the offensive glass – four each from Eberhard and Veteto.

Northern Arizona was led by Gabe Rogers’ 13 points while James Douglas finished with 11 points and Gaellan Bewernick had nine.

The Hornets return to action next week for road games at Northern Colorado (Feb. 2) and Eastern Washington (Feb. 4).

NOTES -- The 77 points, 32 field goals made and 65 field goals attempted were all season highs for Sacramento State…redshirt freshman forward Magd Owayed scored his first-ever point in a Hornet uniform when he converted a free throw with 1:01 to play in the second half.