WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS AT MONTANA TO START FINAL ROAD TRIP

3/1/2007

MISSOULA, Mont. — Seniors Kim Sheehy and Stephanie Cherry scored 15 and 10 points, respectively, to lead the Sacramento State women’s basketball team but it was not enough as Montana handed the Hornets a 76-43 defeat Thursday evening at Dahlberg Arena.

The Hornets fell to 3-26 overall and 1-14 in the Big Sky Conference while the Lady Griz improved to 27-2 overall and 15-1 in league play. Montana has already clinched the Big Sky regular season title and will serve as the host of the conference tournament.

Sacramento State took its only lead of the game in the early going as Sheehy connected on one of her four three-pointers to give the team a 3-2 lead. However, from that point, Montana went on an 11-2 run to open an eight-point lead. The Hornets battled back within one (17-16) with the help of three-pointers from Sheehy and senior Ashley Storms but UM closed the half with a 21-3 spurt to lead 38-19 at the break.

The second half proved to be only slightly kinder to Sacramento State as Montana outscored the Hornets, 38-24.

Overall, the Lady Griz shot 51.9 percent from the floor as a team, making 28 of their 54 field goal attempts. Montana was also 16-of-23 from the free-throw line compared to Sacramento State which was 4-of-7. Mandy Morales and Laura Cote shared the team lead for Montana, scoring 18 points apiece. Britney Lohman also contributed 15.

The Hornets were 17-of-54 as a team (.315) and 5-of-16 from three-point range. The Hornets were also outrebounded 43-25. Individually, Sheehy made 4-of-8 three-pointers and pulled within one of the school career mark held by Michelle St. Clair (175). She also moved into the top-10 for career scoring with 861 points.

Sacramento State will close out its season on Saturday against Idaho State at 1:05 p.m. PST. Live stats for the game can be accessed via Idaho State’s website at www.isubengals.com.