Sophomore Tony Champion had 11 points and eight rebounds against EA Sports. |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Joel Jones scored 16 points and Rene Jacques added 14 to help lead the Sacramento State men’s basketball team to an 81-73 victory over EA Sports Tuesday night at Hornet Gym. The win improved the Hornets to 2-0 in the preseason. The team will open its regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 13, against Old Dominion at the Guardians Classic in Memphis, Tenn.EA Sports took advantage of poor Sacramento State shooting at the start of the game to build a 15-3 lead in the first five minutes. From that point, however, the Hornets went on a 34-21 run to end the half with a one-point lead (37-36). The run was sparked by sophomore center Tony Champion who scored nine points on 3-of-3 shooting. Champion also grabbed six boards during the first half.
The Hornets continued their momentum into the second half, stretching their lead to 14 points. EA Sports made a late surge to cut its deficit to five points with just under five minutes left but Sacramento State responded and was able to hold on down the stretch.
Jones, a junior transfer from Grossmont JC, was 5-for-12 from the floor and 4-of-4 at the line. The guard/forward also electrified the crowd with a sailing dunk in the second half. Jacques overcame a poor start to end the night with 14 points. The senior made three three-pointers to lead the team. Champion tallied 11 point and eight rebounds while sophomore Cedric Thompkins contributed nine points and nine boards.
EA Sports was paced by Darrell Teat. The former Santa Clara standout had a game-high 19 points. Jim Bowen (Boston College) and Jaha Wilson (USC) each added 15.
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