Freshman Sarah Craig |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Hollie Tyler recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead Montana to an 82-45 victory over Sacramento State in a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball game Saturday evening at the Hornets Nest.Montana never trailed and led by as many as 45 points late in the second half. The Grizzlies, who improved to 12-6 overall and 3-2 in the Big Sky, forced 23 Hornet turnovers and outrebounded Sacramento State, 45-38. Montana held the advantage over the Hornets in virtually every statistical category including field goal percentage (.435-.296), three-point field goal percentage (.429-.333), assists (21-6), blocked shots (7-3) and steals (9-6).
Sacramento State’s 45 points tied for its third-worst output of the season as the Hornets dropped to 2-17 overall and 0-6 in the conference.
Tyler, who also tallied a game-high four blocked shots to go along with two steals, was joined in double figures by Katie Edwards (14) and Jill Henkel (12). The Griz went 9-of-21 from beyond the three-point line including a 4-of-5 performance from Edwards. The nine three-pointers were the most the Hornets have allowed this season.
Sacramento State, which was outscored, 39-23, in the first half and 43-22 in the second half, had two players finish in double figures. Freshman Sarah Craig scored a game-high 16 point on 6-of-11 shooting while junior Diane Peterson added 11 points. Kristine Knowlton led the Hornets in rebounding for the fifth time this season as the sophomore finished with 14. Knowlton also had 14 rebounds Thursday night against Montana State.
Montana scored the game’s first six points before the Hornets rallied back to tie the score at 10-10 after a three-pointer by Peterson. The Grizzlies, however, responded with 12-1 run over the next four minutes to lead, 22-11, with 12:35 remaining in the first half. Sacramento State would get no closer than within seven points of Montana’s lead for the remainder of the game.
The Hornets scored just six points during the first 8:41 of the second half as Montana extended its lead and never looked back. A total of 11 Montana players appeared in the game with each playing at least 10 minutes.
The Hornets play once next week as the team travels to Flagstaff, Ariz., to take on Northern Arizona on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 6:05 p.m. PST. Sacramento State has just eight games remaining on the schedule (including three home contests).
