Freshman Sarah Craig

Sacramento State won for the first time since defeating Portland State at home, 75-56, on Jan. 27, 2001. The Hornets’ losing streak was the second-longest in NCAA Div. I history as Long Island University holds that distinction with 58-consecutive losses from 1986-89.

With the victory, Sacramento State improved to 1-7 as six of its next seven games will be played at home, including a six-game homestand that runs from Jan. 2 until Jan. 18.

Craig’s 18 points came on 9-of-12 shooting as the freshman also added four assists and a steal. A total of five Hornets finished with double figures in points including junior Sydney Gatson (16 points, four rebounds and three assists), senior Crystal Conley (career-high 12 points and a career-high tying seven rebounds), sophomore Kristine Knowlton (career-high 11 points to go along with six rebounds and four blocked shots) and junior Danielle Iceman (10 points and nine rebounds).

Craig’s double-double was the first of the season by a Hornet as Sacramento State recorded team season highs in points (77), field goals (30), field goal percentage (.455, 30-66), rebounds (53) and assists (20). The team’s 77 points were the most scored since Sacramento State tallied 89 points in a victory at UC Riverside on Jan. 20, 2001. Tonight also marked the first time the team had five players score in double figures since an overtime loss to Saint Mary’s on Dec. 6, 1996 (Mary Ann Bowman, Kellie Kuelper, Julie Wastell, Kris Karley and Christine Brockett).

After Notre Dame de Namur jumped out to a 4-2 lead, Sacramento State responded with a 22-0 run to take a 24-4 lead with 11:14 remaining in the first half. The Argonauts would get no closer than within 14 points of the Hornet lead for the remainder of the game. Sacramento State extended its lead to as many as 34 points in the second half.

The Argonauts were led by Rasheeda Smith’s game-high 23 points while Renee Polheber tallied eight points and a team-best nine rebounds.

Sacramento State freshman Katelyn Ciampi missed the game with a stress reaction in her foot and junior Dolores Olivarez missed the entire second half after spraining her foot during the first period.

Sacramento State returns to action next Saturday, Dec. 28, at Air Force. The contest, which begins at 6 p.m. PST, will be broadcast live on KTKZ 1380 AM. For those outside the greater Sacramento area, the contest can also be head via the internet at www.hornetsports.com.