As the final buzzer of the 2001 women?s basketball season sounded, the Hornets could finally breathe a sigh of relief as their excruciating season came to a close with a 62-35 blowout to Idaho State on Saturday.

Sac State finished the year with a 3-23 record, a step back from its 6-21 record from a year ago. Idaho State went 23-4, winning the last 18 games of the season, while becoming the first team in Big Sky Conference history to go 16-0 in the conference.

Saturday?s game was decided in the second half, as the Hornets were outscored by a margin of 36-13, and struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball, shooting only four of 29 from the field.

The first half of the game was a fine display of defensive effort by both clubs, but the Hornets fell apart in the second half. Head coach Carolyn Jenkins however, feels as though lack of effort was not the reason for the team?s dismal second half.

“We came out aggressive, but stopped penetrating,” she said. “We got more looks in the second half, but we played for 40 minutes.”

For this game Idaho State wanted to eliminate the post from the Hornets? arsenal and make them find the open jumpers. They took away a lot of screens for the Hornets while also stifling the passing lanes.

They did this knowing the Hornets like to slow down the tempo of the game bringing the ball up the court in the first half.

“They did an excellent job taking away Torrilynn Boyd and then taking away the outside. We could not shoot the three,” Jenkins said.

Mandi Carver led Idaho State with 13 points. The Bengals were able to establish their post play early in the game, which opened up the perimeter in the second half. They were also able to remain balanced throughout the game with point production coming from 11 different players.

One of the few bright spots for the Hornets was senior guard Michelle St. Clair, who set a Big Sky single-season record for three-pointers with 77. St. Clair was four for 17 shooting for 11 points and 6 rebounds versus Idaho State. It was also the final game for Boyd, who had six points on three of 10 shooting, to go with 10 rebounds.

Jenkins had nothing but praise for her two seniors.

“All year they have given us 100 percent effort,” she said. “That?s what they need to take from their senior season. That?s what has allowed them to get through this season.”The Hornets also got a significant contribution from freshman forward Tola Tallman, who had nine points and a career-high17 rebounds.