San Diego improved to 6-3 with the victory while Sacramento State dropped to 0-9, marking the worst start to a season in program history. The previous low mark was 0-8, set by last year’s team.

Thurman’s 21 points (10-of-16 shooting) was the most scored by a Hornet all season long, eclipsing the previous mark of 17, set by Lori Kerswell against Air Force. Thurman also totalled a team-high six rebounds, marking the fourth-consecutive game in which the Carson City, Nev., native has led the team in rebounding.

San Diego led the game from start to finish as the Toreros shot 46.6 percent (34-73) from the field and outrebounded the Hornets, 46-31. Five Toreros scored in double figures comprising Brandi Collato (17), Erin Malich (16), Marta Menuez (14), Kerri Nakamoto (13) and Robyn Fortney (12). Those five players accounted for 72 of the team’s 84 points.

The Hornets, who shot a season-high 42.1 percent (24-57) from the field, had two other players finish with double-figure points. Sophomore Danielle Iceman tallied 11 points and five rebounds while junior Samantha Miller added 10 points and five rebounds. Junior Kendra Yancey finished with six points, five rebounds and a team season-high seven assists. In her first start of the season, senior Lori Kerswell finished with four points, two assists and two steals.

San Diego led by as many as 13 points in the first half as the Hornets kept things close throughout the opening period. Sacramento State cut the lead to six points (42-36) at the 1:02 mark of the first half after a three-pointer by Thurman. Collato answered with a three-pointer to put the Toreros up, 45-36, at halftime.

With the score, 55-44, at the 13:06 mark of the second half, San Diego went on a 12-4 run over the next seven minutes to take a commanding 19-point lead. Sacramento State would get no closer than within 17 points of the Torero lead the rest of the way. The 24-point victory by San Diego was also the team’s largest lead of the game.

Despite the loss, Sacramento State recorded season highs in points (60), field goals made (24), field goal percentage (42.1) and assists (16). Prior to tonight’s game, the Hornets’ season high in field goal percentage had been 30.6 percent.

Sacramento State will take the next nine days off before opening up a three-game homestand against UC Riverside on Friday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m. The Hornets will then host Army (Dec. 31) and Gonzaga (Jan. 2).