WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WINS FIRST OF SEASON, 62-52, AT SANTA CLARA

11/20/2008

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Behind 17 points from sophomore Sami Field-Polisso (Mountain View, Calif.) and a double-double from junior Erika Edwards (Redmond, Wash.), the Sacramento State women's basketball team defeated the Santa Clara Broncos 62-52 on Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Leavey Center.

With the win, the Hornets improve to 1-2 on the season, while the Broncos fall to 0-3.

After senior Atty Boyer (Sacramento, Calif.) scored the first four points of the game, the Broncos controlled the first half of play, taking their largest lead of the game at 35-20 with 1:27 remaining. Junior Charday Hunt (Portland, Ore.) and Field Polisso each hit three-pointers to end the half, cutting the intermission deficit to nine points at 35-26.

The Hornets stepped up the defensive intensity in the second 20 minute session, forcing 17 second half turnovers for the Broncos, while chipping away at the lead. Sacramento State started the half with a 13-2 run, taking their first lead on a Field-Polisso three-pointer with 15:43 remaining, making the score 39-37. The Broncos fought back with a 7-0 run of their own, taking a 44-39 lead of their own with 11:59 remaining.

But in a game of runs, Sacramento State came right back with a 15-0 run over the next 5:49 of game time, taking a 54-44 lead with 6:15 remaining before cruising to the 62-52 win.

Edwards collected her second double-double in three games for the Hornets with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Field-Polisso knocked down 4-of-7 shots from beyond the three-point arc and 5-of-6 free throws to end with a Hornet-high 17 points. Boyer (13) and Hunt (10) also finished in double-figures for the Hornets, who avenged a 67-60 loss to the Broncos from last season, where Santa Clara ended the game on a 12-2 run.

Sophomore Lena Gipson scored 17 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to pace Santa Clara, while senior Elizabeth Doran added 10 points.

The Hornets return to action on Sunday, Nov. 23 as they host the Fresno State Bulldogs in the team's home opener. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. from the Hornets Nest.