A layup from Gaels’ forward Eghoisa Obaiza with 1:07 left gave Saint Mary’s the advantage in the final stages, before Cherry’s baseline attempt was denied.

Sacramento State falls to 5-6 on the year and has yet to win a road game (0-6) this season, while Saint Mary’s improves to 5-8 overall.

Senior forward Ashley Cadotte led the Hornets, recording her first double-double of the year with 10 points and a career-high 16 rebounds (six offensive). It was the second time the Oregon City, Ore., native has recorded double figures in rebounding this season and fifth time in her career. It was also the third double-double of her career. Cadotte’s rebounding effort was the best in recent program history, dating back to Nov. 30, 2001, when Alyson Thurman recorded 16 boards against San Jose State.

For the second consecutive game, senior center Katelyn Ciampi topped her season-high, leading the team in scoring with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting.

The Hornets shot just 34.4 percent (21-of-61) from the floor and a season-low 11.1 percent (2-of-18) from behind the three-point line.

Junior guard Kim Sheehy knocked down one three-pointer to extend her streak to 17 straight games with a trey. The Santa Fe, N.M., native finished with nine points and three steals. Cherry finished with eight points and a season-high tying eight rebounds, while senior guard Cindy Alldrin knocked down the team''s only other trey, to go along with her eight points, five rebounds and game-high five assists.

The Gaels were led by Arredondo’s 12-point and 12-rebound double-double. Also scoring in double figures for Saint Mary’s was Maija Lahde with 11 points and eight rebounds.

In the first half, a jumper from Cherry gave the Hornets their largest lead of the game, 10-4, with 13:58 remaining, but the Gaels fought back to tie the game for the fifth time at 22-22, before going on a 9-5 run in the final four minutes to enter the break with a 31-27 advantage.

As the second half began, Sacramento State slowly chipped away at Saint Mary’s lead, eventually taking a 36-35 edge with 13:44 remaining on a layup from senior forward Lindsey Heard.

The lead was exchanged five times before the Hornets were able to extend their advantage to 47-43 with 7:28 remaining on a jumper from Sheehy.

Sacramento State scored its last bucket on a jumper from Ciampi with 5:33 remaining to take a 51-48 lead, but the Gaels were able to hold the Hornets scoreless down the stretch. Sacramento State was unable to score on its final seven possessions as Obaisa’s layup with 1:07 left proved to be the decision-maker.

Sacramento State has one final tune-up before opening Big Sky Conference play. The Hornets will travel to George Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The Colonials are currently receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today Top-25 poll. Sacramento State returns to the Hornets Nest on Thursday, Jan. 12, to open up conference play against Idaho State at 7:05 p.m.