After Sheehy’s drive gave the Hornets a 60-59 edge, Sacramento State’s defense forced a Lumberjack turnover with 2.1 seconds left. Northern Arizona fouled immediately after the Hornets inbounded the ball, and junior guard Stephanie Cherry hit 1-of-2 two from the free-throw line to put Sacramento State on top 61-59 with 1.1 seconds left. The Lumberjacks inbounded the ball to Kim Winkfield, whose shot from half court bounced off the back iron at the buzzer to give the Hornets the win.

With the victory, Sacramento State improves to 9-15 overall and 4-8 in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets now control their own destiny towards finishing in the top six in the Big Sky and earning a berth in the conference tournament. If Sacramento State goes on the road and defeats Eastern Washington and Portland State, they assure themselves a spot in post-season action.

The Hornets’ nine victories are also the most for the program in 10 seasons, when the 1995-96 squad finished 10-18.

Northern Arizona, which came into the game tied for second place in the Big Sky with Montana, falls to 18-9 overall and 8-4 in Big Sky action.

Sacramento State was led offensively by a very balanced scoring attack. Senior guard Cindy Alldrin and senior center Katelyn Ciampi paced the Hornets with 10 points each. Senior forward Lindsey Heard scored nine points and junior guard Stephanie Cherry added eight. Senior forward Ashley Cadotte, freshman forward Atty Boyer, and Sheehy all finished with six points. Ciampi lead the Hornets on the boards with five rebounds, and Sheehy was the team’s assist leader with three.

Sandra Viksryte led Northern Arizona with 12 points, while Alyssa Wahl and Sade Cunningham each finished in double figures with 11 points apiece. Wahl and Viksryte were also the game’s leading rebounders with seven apiece, while Cunningham finished with five assists to lead both teams,

The game was even throughout the first half, with the Lumberjacks taking a 34-31 lead at the break. Northern Arizona came out strong in the second half, going on a 9-0 run in the first two minutes to secure a 43-31 advantage. Sacramento State regrouped after a timeout and held the Lumberjacks scoreless for the next 5:49 of the game, going on a 12-0 run to tie the contest at 43-43 with 12:29 left.

Northern Arizona went back on top 45-43 with 12:15 to go after a jumper by Winkfield, and the Lumberjacks held the lead until Hornet senior guard Cindy Alldrin converted a lay-up to give Sacramento State a 54-53 lead with 4:01 remaining.

The Lumberjacks held Sacramento State scoreless for the next 2:18 to go back on top 57-54, before Ciampi ended the Hornets scoring draught by connecting on two free throws, cutting the deficit to 57-56 with 1:43 left. Sheehy hit two more free throws to give Sacramento State the lead again at 58-57 with 1:07 remaining, but Winkfield sunk two free throws of her own with 31 seconds remaining to put the Lumberjacks back on top 59-58 and set the stage for Sheehy’s game-ending heroics.

Northern Arizona outrebounded the Hornets 36-25, but were unable to convert on second-chance opportunities due to poor outside shooting and a stingy Sacramento State defense. After connecting on 15-of-30 from the field in the first half, the Lumberjacks made just 9-of-27 from the field in the second half. Sacramento State finished the contest 19-of-42 from the field (45.2 percent).

One decisive factor for the Hornets was their distinct edge from the foul line. Northern Arizona got to the foul line 13 times (going 9-of-13), whereas Sacramento State got to the line 23 times, finishing 19-of-23.

Sacramento State’s next contest is at Portland State on Thursday, Mar. 2, at 7:05 p.m. The Hornets conclude their regular season with a 2:05 p.m. tipoff at Eastern Washington on Saturday, Mar 4.