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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS FRESNO PACIFIC, 98-87; TRIP TO UC DAVIS UP NEXT
12/1/2011
Megan Kritscher was just one block short of the school record against Fresno Pacific.
The Hornets (4-3) won their fourth straight game and have a winning record for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign. Sacramento State won its fourth game this year after winning just four games all last season. Fresno Pacific (5-4), which will move up from NAIA to the Div. II ranks next season, dropped its third straight after winning five of its first six games.
Sacramento State led the entire game but every run the Hornets made, Fresno Pacific answered. The Hornets were up six at the half and led by as much 16 late in the game before winning by 11.
Kritscher played just 18 minutes in a reserve role on Thursday night, but she made every second of her playing time count with a team-best 20 points to go with seven rebounds. Her seven blocks was one shy of the single-game school record and gives her a team-high 18 rejections this season.
Kylie Kuhns, who entered the game leading the NCAA with five double-doubles, tallied her sixth of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Sunbirds. Kuhns had two double-doubles as a freshman, a Big Sky Conference-best 16 as a sophomore and now has six through seven games as a junior.
Sophomore Alle Moreno shot well, scoring 17 points on 4-of-8 shooting with all four makes coming from 3-point range. She also was perfect at the charity stripe, connecting all five of her free throw attempts. Emily Christensen had 15 points and Sadie Clements added 13 more as five Hornets scored in double figures. Christensen had her first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds as well.
All five Sunbird starters scored in double figures as just eight of their players were suited up for the game. Point guard Jenay Herring had a team-best 20 points to go with a game-high 11 assists, four rebounds and four steals.
Sacramento State shot 45.3 percent overall on 34-of-75 shooting, including 8-of-22 from 3-point range. The Hornets snagged 57 rebounds, committed 21 turnovers and had 27 assists. They went 22-of-36 at the free throw line, a season high for both makes and attempts.
Fresno Pacific shot 38.6 percent from the field on 34-of-88 shooting, with 9-of-32 coming from beyond the arc. The Sunbirds grabbed 52 rebounds, were pressured into 16 turnovers (a season low for an opponent) and had 21 assists. They went 10-of-17 at the free throw line.
Up next for the Hornets is a Sunday showdown at rival UC Davis. Tip is set for 2 p.m. at The Pavilion.
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