PORTLAND, Ore. -- Sacramento State scored a season-low eight points and converted on just four field goals in the first half as Portland State went on to defeat the Hornets, 71-43, in a Big Sky Conference women's basketball game Saturday night at the Stott Center.With the victory, Portland State clinched a spot in the Big Sky Tournament and will go in as the No. 6 seed. The Vikings finished the regular season with an 11-17 overall record and a 5-9 record in the Big Sky. Sacramento State closes the season at 0-27 and 0-14 in the conference
Five Vikings scored in double figures comprising Nikki Petticrew (16), Sarah Hedgepeth (15), Staci Kleier (12), Heidi Stuart (12) and Niki Sadowski (10) as Portland State shot 40.9 percent (27-66) from the floor, including 82.4 percent (14-17) from the free throw line. PSU also forced the Hornets into 33 turnovers.
After shooting just 18.2 percent (4-22) in the first half, Sacramento State bounced back to shoot 42.4 percent (14-33) in the second half and 32.7 percent for the game. The Hornets outrebounded Portland State, 43-39.
The Hornets scored just two points during the final 11:12 of the first half as Portland State closed the half on a 14-2 run and led at the break, 22-8. Sacramento State would get no closer than 14 points the rest of the way as Portland State led by as many as 29 points in the second half.
Sacramento State junior Samantha Miller scored a team-high 12 points while sophomore Sydney Gatson chipped in 11 points. Junior Danielle Iceman finished with seven points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
With two more blocked shots tonight, freshman Kristine Knowlton finished the season with 57, the fifth-highest single-season mark in school history. Also cracking into the school's single-season record books was Iceman, who finished the year with 131 free throws attempted, tying her for the eighth-best mark in school history.
The team's 0-27 record is the worst in school history, eclipsing the previous mark of 3-23, set during both the 1998-99 and 2000-01 seasons. The Hornets have now dropped 37-straight games dating back to last season with the team's last victory coming at home over Portland State on Jan. 27, 2001.
The Div. I record for most consecutive losses is 58, set by Long Island (1986-89).
Sacramento State's season totals of 1,292 points, 47.9 scoring average and 714 turnovers were all program lows.
