Heading into Saturday’s game at USC and still in search of their first win, the women’s basketball team suffered two losses the past week. They were defeated by Fresno State Saturday afternoon, 67-61, before getting beat by Saint Mary’s 66-48 in their home opener.

Saturday afternoon, the Hornets traveled to Fresno State and were defeated by the Bulldogs.

With the loss, the Hornets’ record dropped to 0-5 for the season.

Along with the loss, two Sac State players suffered ankle injuries. Sephora Scoubes went down just minutes into the game, while Nichole Hardaway was also injured midway through the second half.

“We put up a good effort considering we had two ankle injuries,” head coach Carolyn Jenkins said.

The game was close throughout the first half as Sac State was able to go into the locker room with a 32-32 tie.

In the second half, Fresno State built the lead up to 10, eight minutes into the half. Sac State was able to pull within four with just a minute remaining, but was not able to finish and the team suffered another loss.

Four Hornets scored in double figures, with Michelle St. Clair leading the way with 16 points. Hardaway added 14 in her shortened game, with Torilynn Boyd and Kelly Hodges contributing 11 points each.

As a team, the Hornets shot 44 percent from the field, but allowed the Bulldogs to shoot 45 percent from the field.

Jenkins said that from a defensive standpoint the team was unable to shut down the Bulldogs, but offensively the team shot well.

“We had plenty of opportunities, but were not able to capitalize,” Jenkins said.

The Hornets were out-rebounded 40-30 and allowed the Bulldogs to pull down 18 offensive rebounds, creating second chance opportunities.

“You’re not going to win many ballgames giving up that many offensive rebounds,” Jenkins said.

On Thursday night, the Hornets opened their home campaign against the Gaels of Saint Mary’s with a loss, 66-48. The Hornets got off to a slow start, only shooting 29 percent in the first half, and 36 percent in the game.

“The baskets were not falling,” Jenkins said. “We tried. You have to give them (Saint Mary’s) credit.”

The Hornets were unable to shut down the Dosty twins, who are local talents now playing for the Gaels. The Dostys combined to score 29 of the 66 points for the Gaels. They were also able to pull down 24 rebounds in the win. The Hornets were out-rebounded 46-29.

“We didn’t do a good job on the boards,” Jenkins said.

With the score 15-4 in favor of the Gaels, Sac State was able to string together a 9-0 run midway through the first half to cut the Saint Mary’s lead to 15-13. Tracey Kenyon started the run by sinking a three-pointer. Scoubes added a jumper and a layup in the run.

After the Hornets’ offensive spurt, the team was only able to score four points in the last eight minutes of the half, while the Gaels put up 15 points to push the score to 30-17 at the half. The Hornets’ last four points of the half came on a layup from Scoubes. She was fouled on the play by Hilary Parker, who was given a technical foul. Scoubes made the two technical shots, but missed the foul shot.

St. Clair, recently named Big Sky Player of the Week, was held scoreless in the first half, while committing six turnovers.

“I wasn’t able to get my shots off in the first half,” St. Clair said.

Hardaway added, “I guess we just weren’t shooting in the first half.”

The second half was a little more up-tempo compared to the first half, but Sac State was unable to stop Jermisha Dosty, as she was able to penetrate the baseline and get the easy shots. She finished the game with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

The Gaels came out and went on a 15-4 run before the two teams exchanged three-pointers. St. Clair was able to sink three three-point shots in a two-minute span, her only points of the game.

From there the Hornets were not able to get within 16 points.

Some players believed that the team needed to play the first half like the second half.

“We came out for the second half,” Hardaway said. “But we were not there in the first half.”

Sac State committed 23 turnovers, something you cannot do against a caliber opponent like the Gaels.

Jenkins believes that the Hornets must go out and play their game every night.

“We have to go out and play to our strengths,” Jenkins said. “The wins will come.”

On Saturday the Hornets will host USC at Arco Arena at 2:05 p.m.