Freshman center Kristine Knowlton

With the victory, Weber State has now won five of its last six games while improving to 17-7 overall and 9-2 in the Big Sky. The Wildcats also strengthened their grip on second place in the conference, moving two games ahead of third-place Montana State (5-2). Sacramento State dropped to 0-21 and 0-8 in the conference.

Howe’s 14 points came on 6-of-12 shooting as Angela Sampson (12), Karsen Muller (11) and Mata Tukuafu (10) also cracked double figures for the Wildcats. Weber State shot 45.2 percent (28-62) from the field and outrebounded the Hornets, 40-29.

Sacramento State, which was led by sophomore Alyson Thurman’s 13 points, shot just 35.4 percent (17-48) from the floor while committing 22 turnovers. Freshman Kristine Knowlton finished with nine points and game highs in both rebounds (12) and blocked shots (four). Knowlton is averaging 9.8 rebounds over her last five games. Sophomore guard Sydney Gatson finished with 10 points and has now scored in double figures in seven of her last nine games.

Weber State used an early 7-0 run to take a 9-2 lead with 13:59 remaining in the first half. The Hornets, who were held to just two points through the first 6:17 of the contest, closed to within six points (11-5) at the 13:05 mark. The Wildcats went on a 19-6 run over the next seven minutes to open up a 30-11 lead with 5:54 to play. WSU pushed its lead to as many as 23 points before Sacramento State closed the half on an 8-2 run.

Both teams played even throughout the second half until Weber State closed the game on a 6-0 run. The Hornets, who held the Wildcats to a 29.7 percent (11-37) field goal percentage in the second half, were outscored, 34-25, in the second frame.

For the game, Weber State outscored Sacramento State, 32-20, in the paint and received 27 points from its bench.

Sacramento State senior guard Ciara Jenkins sprained her ankle at the 16:32 mark of the first half and did not return.

Sacramento State returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 9, as it travels to Pocatello, Idaho, to take on Idaho State.

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