Weber State improves to 15-6 overall and 6-2 in the Big Sky, while the Hornets’ two-game winning streak is snapped, dropping them to 7-14 on the season and 3-5 in conference. Sacramento State is currently tied for fifth place in the Big Sky standings with Idaho State, who have an identical conference record. The Bengals visit the Hornets Nest at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday. The top six teams in the conference advance to the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Sacramento State has the luxury of playing four of its final six conference games at home.

“The game against Idaho State is a golden opportunity for us,” head coach Dan Muscatell said. “We need to play at our best on Saturday.

“We are a work in progress and sometimes you have to take a step back in order to move forward,” Muscatell said. “Tonight proved to our players the importance of being ready to go every game because now people look at us differently. We have earned some respect and now our responsibility changes. Credit Weber State for driving that lesson home.”

Weber State shot over 50.0 percent in both halves and finished the game shooting 53.8 percent (28-of-52) from the floor, including knocking down seven three-pointers. Sacramento State struggled from the floor, shooting 26.9 percent for the game and 7.1 percent (1-of-14) from behind the three-point line. Sacramento State’s 40-point offensive effort was the team’s second lowest mark of the season. It was also the first time since Dec. 18 that the team had not made more than one three-pointer in a game.

“We settled at times for shots that weren’t great,” Muscatell said. “They pressed us into taking some difficult shots and we missed shots when we were open.”

As usual the Hornets were able to grab 12 steals, improving their average to 11.6 per game, but a game-high 20 turnovers plagued Sacramento State offensively.

“Weber State was well prepared,” Muscatell said. “They played with more energy, effort and intensity than we did.”

Brown has now led or shared the team lead in scoring 10 times this season (17 in her career). In addition to her 11 points, the Vallejo, Calif., native added four steals. For Heard, she narrowly missed her first double-double of the season with nine rebounds (six offensive) in addition to her 11 points. It was the fourth time in her career, the Roseburg, Ore., native has led or shared the team lead in scoring. Her nine rebounds were also a game-high, it was the fourth time this season she has led the team in rebounding.

Weber State was led by Becky O’Neil and Sara Tuomi who scored 15 and 13 points, respectively.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 9-2 lead, scoring on four of their first six possessions, while the Hornets went nearly four minutes until their second basket of the game, when sophomore guard Kim Sheehy scored her sole basket of the game from behind the arc. Her three-pointer extends her Big Sky-leading streak to 14-straight games with at least one three-pointer.

Weber State extended its lead to 38-18 at halftime. In the second half, it was much of the same, as the Hornets did not score until the 17:34 mark on free throws from sophomore guard Stephanie Cherry. The Fairfield HS graduate added three steals in addition to her four points. Cherry is now averaging 2.5 steals per game in Big Sky contests.

Sacramento State chiseled Weber State’s lead down to 17 points, 46-29 with 13:49 left in the game, but the Hornets would never get any closer.

Hornet Notes:

Sacramento State’s seven wins are the most since the 1995-96 season...the Hornets three Big Sky wins are the most since the 1999-00 season...the team’s seven wins over Division I teams are the most since the 1995-96 season...the Hornets three road wins are the most since the 1993-94 season.