Sacramento State (2-3) remains undefeated at home while Gonzaga, the defending West Coast Conference champions, fall to 3-6.

The Hornets overcame a 30-28 deficit at halftime and took their first lead of the game on a Kim Sheehy three-pointer during their first possession of the second half. Sheehy, who leads Sacramento State averaging 12.8 points per game, scored a career-high 22 points in the victory on 5-of-11 shooting, including knocking down four three-pointers.

“I thought after the first five minutes of the second half, we started to take the fight to them,” head coach Dan Muscatell said. “We felt they might be tired, but it was up to us to take the fight to them and battle to they were worn out.”

With the game knotted at 34-34 with 14:55 remaining, Sacramento State held Gonzaga scoreless for over five minutes, mounting a 17-0 run and 51-34 lead with 9:42 remaining.

The Hornets took their largest lead of the game, 68-39, on a layup from senior Ashley Cadotte, who finished the game with eight points and a game-high nine rebounds, including five on the offensive end. The Oregon City, Ore., native also added four steals and three assists.

“It seemed like whenever we needed a rebound, Ashley was there to get it done,” Muscatell said.

Senior guard Cindy Alldrin finished with 13 points and knocked down two three-pointers.

Sacramento State forced the Bulldogs into 22 turnovers and came up with a game-high 11 steals with Sheehy and Cherry tallying three apiece. Cherry, finished with eight points, five rebounds and two assists, running the point for 37 minutes.

“Kim had an all-around nice game, especially in the last 30 minutes," Muscatell said. She got to open spots on the floor and our team did a great job of sharing the basketball. “Stephanie had her most effective game running the point this season.”

The Hornets’ 19-point victory is their largest of the year, as the team shot as season-best 39.6 percent from the floor. Sacramento State also shot a season-best 44.4 percent from beyond the three-point line, including going 5-for-7 in the second half.

Gonzaga also got into foul trouble early in the second half, sending Sacramento State to the line for a game and season-high 29 attempts. The Hornets shot 79.3 from the charity stipe and stayed out of foul trouble as the Bulldogs were 13-of-17 from the line.

Gonzaga had three players finish in double figures led by Ashley Anderson’s 13 points. Stephanie Hawk added 11 and Simone Santos posted 10.

Sacramento State returns to the Hornets Nest for the second game of its homestand, hosting Causeway-rival UC Davis at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10.