WOMEN'S HOOPS WINS THIRD STRAIGHT, 89-85, AGAINST EASTERN ILLINOIS

11/26/2011

Fantasia Hilliard had a career-high 16 points in just 18 minutes and the Hornets defeated EIU.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State women's basketball team won its third straight game and second-consecutive contest over a previously undefeated team with an 89-85 victory against Eastern Illinois on Saturday afternoon at The Nest.

The Hornets (3-3) and Panthers (4-1) were tied for the 13th time in the game at 85-85 with 38 seconds remaining when Alle Moreno drained a 3-pointer. He big shot came after Emily Christensen secured an offensive rebound on Moreno's missed 3-pointer just seconds earlier. Down three, Eastern Illinois missed a 3-pointer of its own and Kylie Kuhns pulled down the rebound and was fouled. Kuhns hit one of her two free throws and the Hornets' defense prevented a basket on the subsequent possession to earn a four-point victory.

The Hornets were down by 14 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half before outscoring the Panthers by 18 in the final 30 minutes of the game.

Sacramento State has won three straight games after losing its first three, which included road games at No. 15 ranked Oklahoma and California. The Hornets knocked off undefeated Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Wednesday before winning on Saturday against previously 4-0 Eastern Illinois.

Freshman Fantasia Hilliard had a career-high 16 points to pace the Hornets offensively. The point guard also had six assists and just two turnovers after tallying seven assists on Wednesday in the win over SIUE. Emily Christensen went 6-of-12 from the field and scored 15 points while Mallorie Franco had a season-high 11 points. Sadie Clements scored 10 points in reserve and the Hornets recorded 31 total points off the bench in the game.

Kylie Kuhns tallied her fifth double-double of the season in just six games with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Panthers had four players in double figures including 16 points each by Sydney Mitchell and Mariah King. King also had a game-high 15 doubles.

Sacramento State shot 48.5 percent overall on 33-of-68 shooting, including 8-of-27 from 3-point range. The Hornets snagged 35 rebounds, committed a season-low 17 turnovers and had 26 assists. They went 8-of-27 at the free throw line.

Eastern Illinois shot 40.0 percent from the field on 30-of-75 shooting, with 4-of-22 coming from beyond the arc. The Panthers grabbed 55 rebounds, were pressured into 21 turnovers and had 21 assists. They went 21-of-32 at the free throw line.

Sacramento State has both a home game and a road game next week. The Hornets host Fresno Pacific at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday before playing rival UC Davis at 2 p.m. on Sunday.