The Hornets end a two-game skid and improve to 7-11 overall and 2-4 in the Big Sky Conference. The Eagles fall to 9-10 and 3-3 in league.

With 14 first-half points and a career-high tying four three-pointers, Cherry helped the Hornets open up a 37-30 halftime lead. The Suisun, Calif., native, who scored at least 20 points for the third time this season, also grabbed a game and career-high tying five steals.

Sacramento State held Eastern Washington scoreless for over five minutes to open up the game, building a 14-0 lead with 15:07 to play. Spurred by six first-half three-pointers, two coming from senior forward Lindsey Heard, the Hornets maintained their lead throughout the first 20 minutes.

Heard, a Roseburg, Ore., native registered her first double-double with 10 points and a game and a career-high 10 rebounds.

The Sacramento State defense kept the Eagles off balance, forcing them into nine first-half turnovers and 23 for the game.

During the second half, Eastern Washington never crept closer than within six points. Senior guard Kim Sheehy added 12 points, knocking down two three-pointers and 10 of her points in the final 20 minutes. She now has drained a trey in 24 consecutive games dating back to last season.

Senior guard Cindy Alldrin added 10 points and shot a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, knocking down six from the charity stripe in the final minute. The Vancouver, Wash., native entered the game ranked 19th in the nation shooting 88.5 percent from the free-throw line. She also dished out a game-high six assists while pulling down six rebounds. Alldrin has knocked down her last 18 free throws.

Senior forward Ashley Cadotte added 10 points and five rebounds.

Sacramento State shot 40.4 percent (23-of-57) from the floor and 78.9 percent (15-of-19) from the free-throw line. Eastern Washington shot 46.2 percent (24-of-52) from the floor and just 50.0 (10-of-20) percent from the charity stripe.

The Hornets knocked down eight treys in the game and have now beaten the Eagles in the last three meetings.

Eastern Washington was led by Julie Page’s 19 points, while Joanna Chadd dished out five assists.

Sacramento State is now off to its best start since the 1993-94 season and holds a 6-2 record on its homecourt.

The Hornets will host Portland State (8-11, 2-4) on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. The women’s team will participate in the NCAA nationally sponsored “Take a Kid to the Game Day,” with special giveaways and in-game promotions for all kids in attendance. Fans who buy one ticket, will get a second ticket of equal or lesser value for free. For more information, contact Jillian Bivert or Adam Primas at 916-278-4371.