The Hornets fall to 5-8 overall and open up conference play 0-1, as Idaho State improves to 7-8 overall and is now 1-0 in the Big Sky. The loss also ended Sacramento State’s five-game winning streak at home.

The Hornets had four players finish in double figures, led by senior Ashley Cadotte’s 16 points and team-high eight rebounds, while sophomore guard Kim Sheehy added 15 points and dished out three assists.

But the Hornets had no answer for the Bengals’ Danica Boyce, who finished with a game-high 21 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including five three-pointers. Also scoring in double figures for Idaho State, was Natalie Doma with 19 points and Joanna Hixon, who added 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds, six on the offensive glass.

Sacramento State fought back from a 47-39 halftime deficit to take a 55-49 lead after Heard knocked two three-pointers on consecutive possessions as part of the Hornets’ 16-2 run to open up the second half.

Idaho State, who shot 48.4 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from beyond the three-point line, continued to make key baskets down the stretch. The Bengals quickly regained the lead, 59-57, at the 9:41 mark and extended it to 66-60 with 7:12 remaining after a three-pointer from Boyce and a layup from Jenna Brown.

The biggest difference in the game was Idaho State’s activity on the glass, outrebounding Sacramento State 40-31 and picking 16 offensive boards.

The Hornets came back to tie the game at 68-68 on a layup from Cadottte with 5:16 left, but could never regain their lead as Idaho State manufactured a 9-0 run sparked by one of Brown’s two three-pointers.

The Bengals had a 79-70 lead with 1:50 remaining, but Sacramento State made things interesting with layups from Cadotte and junior point guard Stephanie Cherry, as both players were able to streak to the basket for tough buckets.

Cherry added 14 points and dished out a career-high seven assists, while Heard finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Sacramento State forced Idaho State into 17 turnovers, while picking up seven steals. The Hornets committed just 11 turnovers, a new season-low.

Sacramento State will next host Weber State on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. in the Hornet Nest. The Hornets will be hosting their second-annual Pepsi Kids’ Day, with children 17 and under admitted for free with coupon. After the game, the Hornet coaching staff and players will conduct a one-hour free basketball clinic for kids ages 13 and under.