HORNET WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS IN OVERTIME TO PORTLAND STATE 68-67

2/9/2008

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Sacramento State women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to the Portland State Vikings by a score of 68-67 in overtime on Sat., Feb. 9 at the Peter W. Stott Center.

With the loss, the Hornets fall to 6-16 overall, 4-6 in the Big Sky, while the Vikings improve to 17-6, 7-3 in the Big Sky Conference.

The start of the first half saw Portland State's Kelli Valentine score seven of the Vikings first nine points, as Portland State took a 9-6 lead with 16:52 remaining in the half. Sacramento State then went on an 11-2 over the next 2:37 to give the Hornets a 17-11 lead, as sophomore Erika Edwards (Redmond, Wash.) added two three-pointers, and fellow sophomore Kelli Davis (Pullman, Wash.) added a three-pointer during the run. Portland State would answer back, taking a four point lead at 27-23 with 6:26 remaining, and extending it to six at the break, their largest lead of the half, at 39-33.

The second half saw the Hornets come out of the gates in a hurry, starting the half on a 13-0 run to turn a six point halftime deficit into a seven point lead, their largest of the game, at 46-39, with 14:38 remaining in the half. Portland State again fought tooth and nail to tie the game back at 53-53 before extended their lead to three with 32 seconds remaining on a pair of free throws by Claire Faucher.

Sophomore Charday Hunt (Oregon City, Ore.) then was fouled while shooting a three-pointer with 16 seconds remaining, and made all three free throws to send the game into overtime.

In the extra session, the Hornets scored first, as freshman Sami Field-Polisso (Walnut Creek, Calif.) knocked down a deep three-pointer from the right wing to give the Hornets a 64-61 lead. Portland State then retook the lead on a three-pointer by Lexi Bishop at 67-65, but the Hornets tied it up on a layup by freshman Emily Christensen (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) with 1:26 remaining. On the Vikings next possession, Bishop made 1-of-2 from the foul line, giving the Vikings a 68-67 lead. Bishop was later fouled with 4.2 seconds remaining, but missed both foul shots to leave it at a one possession game. The Hornets called a timeout with 2.0 seconds left on the clock, setting up a play that got Christensen an open look from thirty feet. The bank attempt was just slightly off to the right, and Portland State took home the victory at 68-67.

Junior Atty Boyer (Sacramento, Calif.) led the way for the Hornets with 17 points and 13 rebounds, recording her third straight double-double and fifth of her career, while also tallying a career-high four blocks. Field-scored 14 points, while adding six assists, connecting on four makes from beyond the three-point arc.

Faucher scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and recorded six assists in the win for the Vikings, who are now alone in third place in the conference.

The Hornets will return home to host Montana on Wed., Feb 13, and Montana State on Thu., Feb.14 at the Hornets Nest. Both games will tip off at 7:05 p.m., and as part of "Think Pink" week, Hornet fans will be able to purchase pink ribbons in support of breast cancer awareness. All of the sales proceeds of the ribbons will be donated to Mercy Hospital, with donations of all sizes also accepted at the door.