KUHNS REACHES 1,000 POINT PLATEAU, BUT HORNETS FALL, 90-84, TO EASTERN WASHINGTON

2/4/2012

Kylie Kuhns became the 10th player in school history to reach 1,000 career points.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - On the day when Emily Christensen received her commemorative basketball for reaching 1,000 career points, Kylie Kuhns became the 10th player to join that exclusive club but the Hornets came up short, 90-84, to Eastern Washington in a Big Sky Conference game on Saturday afternoon in The Nest.

In front of 1,171 fans, the second largest crowd in school history (1,188 vs. Texas, 11/27/94), the Hornets (8-16, 3-8 Big Sky) led by one, 72-71, with under six minutes to play but the second place Eagles (15-9, 9-2) stormed back behind Brianne Ryan.

Ryan, who enterted the game averaging a league-best 19 points per game, scored 10 points in the final six minutes, including a lay-up with 25 seconds left that put the Eagles up four and put the Hornets away.

Kuhns scored 14 points but needed just four entering the game to reach 1,000 career points. She joins Kristy Ryan (2,064), Heidi Carroll (1,729), Sarah Stapp (1,438), Julie Watsell (1,322), Terri Lugert (1,306), Charday Hunt (1,237), Christensen (1,061), Teresa Hampton (1,023) and Shelby Boudreaux (1,013) in the Sacramento State record book.

Kuhns also pulled down 14 rebounds for her NCAA-best 18th double-double of the season. Alle Moreno led the Hornets with 21 points while Christensen chipped in 20. Freshman point guard Fantasia Hilliard tied her career-high with nine assists while also scoring seven points and pulling down seven boards.

Ryan led the Eagles with a game-high 26 points while Chene Cooper had 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Carrie Ojeda added 14 points and Aubrey Ashenfelter tallied 13.

Sacramento State shot 42.5 percent overall on 34-of-80 shooting, including 10-of-28 from 3-point range. The Hornets snagged 44 rebounds, committed 13 turnovers and had 25 assists. They went 6-of-15 at the free throw line.

Eastern Washington shot 42.3 percent from the field on 30-of-71 shooting, with 9-of-15 coming from beyond the arc. The Eagles grabbed 51 rebounds, were pressured into 18 turnovers and had 20 assists. They went 21-of-26 at the free throw line.

Up next weekend for the Hornets is a pair of road games at Montana and Montana State.