HORNETS FALL DESPITE VEGA’S CAREER-HIGH 15; MONTANA CONTINUES TO LEAD BIG SKY WITH FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN

2/8/2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Montana continued its dominance of the Big Sky Conference, winning its fifth straight with a 78-50 victory over Sacramento State on Thursday night at the Hornets Nest.

The Grizzlies, 21-1 overall and 9-1 in the Big Sky, remain at the top of the conference standings. They were led by all-conference point guard Mandy Morales. The sophomore recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 assists. She also added four rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

Freshman forward Kelly Vega added a career-high 15 points for the Hornets, while Senior forward Ashley Storms added 11 points and knocked down a career-high tying three treys. Senior point guard Stephanie Cherry tied her season high with a team-best six assists, also adding eight points, five rebounds and one steal.

Montana shot 42.0 percent from the floor (29-of-69) and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line (16-of-18) taking a lead from the start of the game. Sacramento tried to match the Grizzlies offense, but found itself trailing by double digits at the 9:43 mark of the first half. From that point on the Hornets stayed with Montana, and even closed within eight before Morales drained her only long-distance bucket of the night with one second before the halftime buzzer sounded.

The Grizzlies took control in the first five minutes of the second half, jumping out to an 18-4 run.

Also scoring in double figures for Montana was guard Sonya Rogers, who matched Morales with 17 points on a 7-of-13 shooting performance. Laura Cote added 10 points off the bench, while Johanna Closson pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

Sacramento State shot 33.3 percent from the floor and 71. 4 percent (10-of-14) from the free-throw line. The Hornets were also outrebounded 49-31.

Sacramento State will hit the road to play a quick rematch at Montana State next Thursday. The Hornets then travel to Weber State next Saturday.