The Hornets fall to 5-11 overall and 1-3 in the Big Sky Conference, while the Grizzlies improve to 10-6 overall and 3-0 in conference.

Senior guard Tyeisha Brown was the only Hornet to score in double figures with 20 points, including a career-high three three-pointers. She has now led the team in scoring eight times this season and 15 times in her career.

Montana jumped out to an early lead led by junior guard Katie Edwards, who scored eight of her nine three-pointers in the first half. Edwards finished with a career and game-high 27 points, shooting 9-of-13 from the floor (9-of-12 from behind the arc).

The Lewistown, Mont., native broke her career high in three-pointers by three, and also matched the Big Sky’s record for three-pointers in a game. Sacramento State’s Michelle St. Clair sank nine three-pointers in 2001 and Idaho State’s Lindy Whitley hit nine for the Bengals in 2003.

The Grizzlies jumped out to a 26-4 lead, scoring on 10 consecutive possessions, with Edwards knocking down four three-pointers by the 13:58 mark.

“Obviously Montana came out on fire and shot the ball better than they had all season,” Sacramento State head coach Dan Muscatell said. “We definitely were back on our heels and we could never fully recover.”

Sacramento State struggled offensively, with Montana taking its largest lead of the half, 33-8 with 10:19 to go. The Hornets made a 19-14 run to end the half, led by Brown’s 10 first-half points. The Vallejo, Calif. native also had a game-high four steals. Sophomore guards Stephanie Cherry and Kim Sheehy along with Brown combined to sink four three-pointers in the first half. For Sheehy, she has now hit a three-pointer in her last nine games.

“At times we moved the ball as well as we had all season,” Muscatell said. “With the deficit as big as it was and as quick as it was created, we were at times a bit impatient. But that comes with trying to make a comeback.”

The Grizzlies shot a paralyzing 56.0 percent from the floor in the first half, including 83.3 percent (10-of-12) from behind the three-point line. Montana came into the game averaging only 4.5 three-pointers per game.

In the second half the Grizzlies again mounted a large lead, taking their largest lead of the game, 66-33, with 10:42 to go.

The Hornet defense then held Montana to just four points in the last 10 minutes of the game as Sacramento State finished the game on a 13-4 run.

Montana had three other players finish in double figures, with Hollie Tyler adding 14 and Juliann Keller and Johanna Closson scoring 10 each.

Sacramento State was out rebounded 45-26, but the defense came away with a game-high 11 steals and also forced the Grizzlies into 15 turnovers. Junior forwards Katelyn Ciampi, Ashley Cadotte and Lindsey Heard had five rebounds apiece.

Montana guard Lynsey Monaco dished out a game-high seven assists of the Grizzlies’ 20, while Sheehy finished with a team and career-high three assists for the Hornets.

Sacramento State will cross the Causeway for its next game, playing UC Davis in a rematch at 7:05 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26 at The Pavillion. The Hornets fell to UC Davis 58-50 in the third game of the season at the Hornets Nest.

"Given the outcome of the game against Montana, I think our players are going to be very excited to get back on the court quickly,” Muscatell said. “I think there is always a lot of excitement for Causeway games.’