WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CAN'T COMPLETE COMEBACK, FALLS 68-57 AT UC DAVIS

12/4/2011

Kylie Kuhns had 15 points and 13 rebounds but the Hornets lost at UC Davis on Sunday.

DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis’ hot 3-point shooting thwarted a second half surge by the Hornets and the Sacramento State women’s basketball team lost, 68-57, on Sunday afternoon at The Pavilion.

The Hornets’ (4-4) loss stops their four-game winning streak and means the Aggies (6-2) salvage a split in the basketball version of the Causeway Cup after the Sacramento State men’s team beat UC Davis, 69-61, on Nov. 22.

After trailing, 29-20 at halftime, the Hornets surged back to tie the game twice in the second half.

Sadie Clements hit a long jumper to even the score, 44-44, and the Hornets were down just three, 49-46, minutes later when UC Davis began a 16-2 run. The Aggies connected on four 3-pointers in that stretch to take their largest lead of the game, 17 points, with 3:35 left.

Junior forward Kylie Kuhns had her seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds while senior forward Emily Christensen also had a double-double, her second straight, with 15 points and 11 boards. Christensen nearly had one in the first half alone, with eight points and nine rebounds.

Kuhns entered the week No. 1 in the NCAA with five double-doubles and she tacked on two more against Fresno Pacific and UC Davis.

The Aggies were led by Kasey Riecks and Sydnee Fipps, who combined for seven 3-pointers and 27 points. Each hit two 3-pointers during UC Davis’ 16-2 run.

Sacramento State shot 30.9 percent overall on 21-of-68 shooting, including 8-of-29 from 3-point range. The Hornets snagged 49 rebounds, committed 26 turnovers and had 12 assists. They went 7-of-10 at the free throw line.

UC Davis shot 34.8 percent from the field on 23-of-66 shooting, with 11-of-27 coming from beyond the arc. The Aggies grabbed 41 rebounds, were pressured into 21 turnovers and had 19 assists. They went 11-of-14 at the free throw line.

This was the first game of the season where the Hornets outrebounded their opponent and lost.

The Hornets have three more games on this current road trip, with a game at Loyola Marymount up next on Dec. 8.