WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SWEEPS BIG SKY OPENING WEEKEND, DEFEATS WEBER STATE 78-60

12/31/2011

Mallorie Franco had a game-high four steals as the Hornets' defense locked down Weber State.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State women's basketball team swept its opening weekend of Big Sky Conference play and improved to 7-2 at home this season with a 78-60 victory over Weber State on Saturday at The Nest.

The Hornets (7-8, 2-0 Big Sky) made just one 3-pointer in the game but still shot 46.6 percent and scored 52 points in the paint. The Wildcats (2-12, 0-1) had just one player score in double figures and were pressued into 21 turnovers, the third most by the Wildcats in a single game this season.

The Sacramento State lead was as little as five points with 8:47 remaining in the second half. But over the next 3:58, the Hornets' full-court press forced six turnovers after made baskets and went on an 18-2 run to put the game away. The Hornets nearly lead from start to finish, as the Wildcats' only lead of the game came less than two minutes into the game.

The Hornets dominated the Wildcats on the glass, tallying 52 rebounds compared to 28 by Weber State. It was Sacramento State's largest rebounding margin this season.

Kylie Kuhns tallied her NCAA-best 14th double-double in 15 games this season with 17 points and 15 rebounds against the Wildcats. She had 37 points and 30 rebounds combined in the Hornets' two Big Sky Conference wins over the weekend.

Mallorie Franco filled up the stat sheet with 13 points, a career-high seven assists, five rebounds, four steals and blocked shot. Alle Moreno added 16 points and seven boards while Fantasia Hilliard posted 11 points. Emily Christensen and Megan Kritscher each recorded three blocked shots.

Weber State was paced by Mikell Woodfield's 13 points while Amanda Hughes had a team-high nine rebounds.

Sacramento State shot 46.6 percent overall on 34-of-73 shooting, including a season-low 1-of-19 from 3-point range. The Hornets snagged 52 rebounds, committed 19 turnovers and had 23 assists. They went 9-of-16 at the free throw line.

Weber State shot 33.8 percent from the field on 24-of-71 shooting, with 4-of-19 coming from beyond the arc. The Wildcats grabbed 38 rebounds, were pressured into 21 turnovers and had 13 assists. They went 8-of-9 at the free throw line.

Up next for the Hornets three straight Big Sky Conference road games. Sacramento State will play at Northern Colorado on Jan. 7, at Eastern Washington on Jan. 12 and at Idaho State on Jan. 14.