Junior Danielle Iceman |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento State committed a season-high 37 turnovers and shot just 27.7 percent (13-47) from the floor as Eastern Washington defeated the Hornets, 69-40, in a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball game Saturday evening at the Hornet Nest.The Hornets, who were held to a season-low 40 points, dropped to 2-13 overall and 0-2 in the Big Sky. Eastern Washington won for the ninth time in the last 11 games while improving to 11-4 and 2-0 in the conference.
The Eagles led from start to finish while scoring 32 of the game’s first 36 points. Eastern Washington led, 32-4, with 8:21 to play in the first half and never led by anything less than 23 points the rest of the way. Eastern Washington’s swarming defense caused the Hornets problems in the first half as Sacramento State attempted just 16 shots and committed 22 turnovers in the opening period.
Sacramento State trailed, 44-13, at halftime but outscored the Eagles in the second half, 27-25. The Hornets finished the game with five players totalling at least four turnovers.
All 13 Eastern Washington players on the roster received playing time as Kathleen Nygaard posted a team-best 14 points and nine rebounds. Michelle Demetruk added nine points and five steals, and Janelle Ruen and Raelynn Chaffee each tallied seven points. The Eagles shot 40.3 percent (27-67) from the field while tallying 18 steals and outrebounding the Hornets, 43-39.
Junior Danielle Iceman notched the second double-double of her career for the Hornets, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Sarah Craig also posted double figures in points for Sacramento State with 10, including eight rebounds. Forward Nichole Hardaway finished with 11 rebounds, marking the fourth time in the last six games the junior has led or tied for the team lead in rebounding.
The Hornets converted on just 13 field goals (including three three-pointers) and 11 free throws during the contest while Eastern Washington tallied 27 field goals and 13 free throws. Eastern Washington’s largest lead of the game was 33 points (68-35) with 2:09 left in the game.
Tonight’s contest marked the sixth and final game of the Hornets’ season-long six-game homestand.
Sacramento State returns to action next week on the road as it faces Big Sky-foes Idaho State (Thursday, Jan. 23) and Weber State (Saturday, Jan. 25).
