Senior Raashad Hooks scored a career-high 23 points against Eastern Washington.

The win improved the Hornets to 9-13 overall and 3-6 in Big Sky Conference games. The Eagles dropped to 15-9 overall and 7-3 in league play.

Sacramento State jumped out quickly, scoring on its first possession and eventually leading 13-5 just under five minutes into the game. The team stretched its lead to 27-13 following a three-pointer by freshman Chris Lange with 7:35 left in the first half.

Eastern, however, was able to claw its way back into the game at the end of the first half. Trailing by nine with 72 seconds left in the period, T.J. Williams made a layup to cut the deficit to seven. Following a steal by Dan Pariseau, Keith Browne made a layup and was fouled. Browne converted the three-point play to make the score, 42-38, at halftime.

The two teams exchanged baskets at the start of the second period until Browne knocked down a jumper to give EWU a 47-46 edge with 15:26 left. Derek Lambeth, however, answered with a jumper to put Sacramento State on top.

After the Hornets built an eight-point advantage, Eastern rallied and eventually tied the game on a pair of free throws by Pariseau at the 2:53 mark. Sacramento State missed on its ensuing possession but the Eagles were not able to capitalize. Lambeth made 1-of-2 free throws to return the lead to the Hornets for the remainder of the game.

Hooks led all players by making 6-of-11 field goals, including a pair of three-pointers, and 9-of-9 free throws. The senior’s previous career high was 19 set earlier this season at Northern Arizona.

Lange and junior Brandon Guyton each contributed 14 points. Lange was 4-of-7 from the floor and 5-of-5 at the line to account for his career-high point total. Guyton, who returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench for the past four games, made 4-of-9 threes and added two free throws.

Sacramento State dominated the glass, outrebounding the Eagles, 44-27. The Hornets were led by senior Jimmy White who had a game-high nine boards. Guyton also grabbed a career-high seven.

Eastern was paced by Chris Hester’s 16 points. Marc Axton (11), Pariseau (10) and Brown (10) also broke double-figures. Brandon Merritt, who is the reigning Big Sky Player of the Week, was limited to four points on 1-of-8 shooting.

The Hornets conclude their three-game homestand on Saturday, Feb. 15, against Portland State. The game against the Vikings begins at 7:05 p.m. and can be heard on KTKZ 1380 AM.

Sacramento State will be looking to sweep a Big Sky weekend series for the first time since downing Portland State and Eastern Washington on Feb. 10 and 13, 1999.

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