WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DROPS BIG SKY HOME OPENER, 88-72, TO EASTERN WASHINGTON

1/13/2011

Kylie Kuhns had a game-high 16 rebounds but the Hornets lost to EWU on Thursday night.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State women's basketball team lost its Big Sky Conference home opener, 88-72, to Eastern Washington on Thursday night at The Nest. The Hornets slide to 3-13 (0-3 Big Sky) after the loss while the Eagles improved to 6-8 (2-0) with the win.

Kylie Kuhns, the nation's No. 4 rebounder at 11.9 per game entering Thursday's contest, scored 15 points and pulled down a game-high 16 boards to push her average up to 12.1 on the season.

Sami Field-Polisso had a team-high 17 points for the Hornets, including five made 3-point baskets, while Natasha Torgerson also had 15 points. Torgerson, who leads the conference with 27 blocks, added another rejection versus the Eagles.

Brianne Ryan had a game-high 21 points for Eastern Washington, which led by nine at halftime before pushing their lead to as much as 17 in the second half.

The Eagles had 60 points in the paint, compared to 31 for the Hornets. Eastern Washington also had a 10 point edge in points of turnovers (27-17).

Sacramento State shot 36.1-percent from the floor on 30-of-83 shooting, including 10-of-33 from 3-point range. The Hornets snagged 42 rebounds, committed 17 turnovers and had 26 assists on their 30 made baskets. They went just 2-of-2 at the free throw line.

Eastern Washington shot 49.4-percent overall on 38-of-77 shooting, with 3-of-13 coming from beyond the arc. The Eagles grabbed 52 rebounds, were pressured into 16 turnovers and had 17 assists on 38 made hoops. They went 9-of-12 at the free throw line.

The Hornets will be back in action on Saturday afternoon with a 2:05 p.m. tip-off against Idaho State at The Nest. Last season the Hornets notched their first ever win over the Bengals.