FOUR SCORE IN DOUBLE FIGURES FOR WOMEN’S HOOPS BUT CAN’T OVERCOME KAHLE’S 41 AT PSU

1/26/2007

PORTLAND, Ore. - Despite four players scoring in double figures for Sacramento State, the Hornets could not overcome 41 points from Kelsey Kahle in an 80-72 Big Sky Conference loss to Portland State at the Stott Center on Thursday night.

Sacramento State (3-16, 1-4) stood toe-to-toe with the Vikings (7-13, 3-4) in the second half, but Kahle single handedly held off the Hornets, scoring 26 points in the final 20 minutes, including a 16-of-21 showing from the floor to go along with a 9-of-12 performance from the free throw line for the game.

For their part, the Hornets were not neglecting the offensive end, scoring a season-high 72 points led by Kim Sheehy for the ninth time this season. The Santa Fe, N.M., scored 16 points and handed out four assists.

For the third consecutive game, sophomore forward Becca Reams reached double figures, adding 15 points. The 2004 Placer High School graduate is averaging 13.3 points and shooting 60.0 percent from the floor in her last three games.

El Camino High School graduate Jourdan Willard scored a career-high 15 points, while senior forward Ashley Storms recorded her first career double-double. The Vancouver, Wash., native chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds, five on the offensive end.

Portland State was in control from the tip. The Vikings jumped out to an early 7-0 lead until a Sheehy bucket at the 16:45 mark finally put the Hornets on the scoreboard. Portland State’s lead reached as many as six, until Sacramento State went on a 10-4 run to take its first lead of the game, 21-20, at the 7:39 mark.

The Hornets largest lead of the game, 26-23, came with 4:30 left in the first, but the Vikings ended the first period on a 13-3 run that sealed Sacramento State’s fate.

The closest Sacramento State would come to catching the Vikings was at the 14:12 mark of the second half, trailing just 48-46.

Portland State then forced Sacramento State into two turnovers and two missed shots, while scoring on all of their possessions to build their lead back to eight points and eventual double figures.

Sacramento State is on a 15-road game losing streak that dates back to last season. The Hornets have also dropped their last three Big Sky Conference games.

The Hornets will again to attempt to break their streak on Sunday at Eastern Washington with tipoff scheduled for 2:05 p.m. Hornet fans can follow the game on www.goeags.com or for a fee obtain the video broadcast on www.bigskytv.org.