Freshman Sarah Craig |
STOCKTON, Calif. — The University of the Pacific used a 29-6 run over parts of the first and second halves to break open the contest as the Tigers defeated Sacramento State, 92-50, in a non-conference women’s basketball game Wednesday evening at the Spanos Center.With the victory, Pacific snapped a two-game losing streak while improving its record to 2-5. Sacramento State dropped to 0-6 as the Hornets have now gone winless in their first six games each of the last three seasons. In addition, Pacific has defeated the Hornets each of the last five years.
Pacific scored 43 points off 33 Sacramento State turnovers and led the Hornets in virtually every statistical category including field goal percentage (.543-.327), assists (20-8), steals (11-5) and field goals (38-18). Five Tigers scored in double figures, led by Corinne Wong and Nancy Dinges who each scored 14. Jasmine Ewing (13), Gillian d’Hondt (10) and Shelle Stigler (10) also scored in double digits for Pacific.
The Tigers connected on their first three three-point opportunities of the first half as UOP jumped out to a 9-4 lead. Pacific extended its lead to 24-12 at the 9:19 mark of the first half as Sacramento State committed 11 turnovers in its first 20 possessions of the game. The Tigers, who forced the Hornets into 19 first-half turnovers, closed the half on a 16-2 run to take a commanding 45-24 lead into the break.
Pacific extended its lead to as many as 44 points in the second half as the Tigers never led by anything less than 21 points during the entire second stanza.
Sarah Craig led Sacramento State with 12 points as the freshman was the only Hornet to finish in double figures. Sophomore Kristine Knowlton led Sacramento State in rebounds as the center finished with seven. Junior Danielle Iceman finished with seven points and five rebounds.
Craig has now scored at least 14 points in all four games she’s appeared and has led the team in scoring three times.
Sacramento State returns to action this Saturday, Dec. 14, at UC Riverside. After Saturday’s contest, the Hornets play seven of their next eight games in Hornet Gym, including a six-game homestand that stretches from Jan. 2-18.
GAME NOTES -- A Dolores Olivarez lay-up gave the Hornets an early 2-0 lead, marking the first lead Sacramento State has held all season...the Hornets have lost 22-straight games away from home...with two three-pointers tonight, junior Diane Peterson has now hit at least one three-pointer in all six games this season...freshman Kate Conarroe scored her first points of the season, a three-pointer in the second half. She added a free throw later in the game.
