The struggling Sac State women?s basketball team ventured into Montana on Thursday with aspirations of a 2-0 sweep of the state. Those plans were denied however, as they took losses to both Montana and Montana State on consecutive nights.

Thursday’s 93-51 loss at Montana was never close as the Grizzlies’ post play dominated the game.

“We didn’t defend the post,” head coach Carolyn Jenkins said. “When we pressured the perimeter, they went to the post and on the block.”

The size problems that Montana presented to the Hornets were what really gave them fits. “Their post play height-wise was a difference,” Jenkins said.

More reason to believe the Hornets were at a mismatch in the paint lies in the numbers. The Hornets were out-rebounded, 44-28. Montana was able to spread the scoring around in this contest with all 11 players scoring, and five players scoring in double figures. Torilyn Boyd led the Hornets in scoring with 19 points, as the Hornets’ offense had trouble getting in sync. Sac State’s Sephora Scoubes chipped in with 11 points and nine boards of her own. They shot 36.7 from the field and attempted only five three-point shots for the game.

The Grizzlies are 9-0 against the Hornets since the Hornets joined the Big Sky in 1996.

Although they lost the next night as well, the Hornets fared better in Friday’s match up against Montana State, as they were defeated 64-60. The Hornets made a 7-0 run with 49 seconds remaining to make the game close. Sac State?s attack was led by Michelle St.Clair, who scored 21 of her 25 points in the second half. She also connected on five three-pointers, while carrying the offensive burden for the Hornets because they only played six players.

“We went with the same people in the second half, and we were exhausted,” said Jenkins.

This game was an exchange of runs as the Hornets had a 14-3 lead in the first half. The Bobcats then took the lead, 27-24, after going on a 10-2 run to end the first half. The different looks that Montana State threw defensively slowed down the Hornets in the second half.

“We got ahead and they switched to a zone,” Jenkins said. “We also didn’t knock down some shots.”

The Bobcats were able to balance their scoring between Jessica Blake and Isabel Stubbs, who scored 19 and 18 points, respectively.

When the Hornets play Montana State again, Jenkins stresses the Hornets will do a better job defensively.

“We need to do a better job defensively, and will change up our looks on defense,” she said.

The Hornets will host Montana State tomorrow night in Hornet gym at 7:05 p.m.