The Sacramento State men?s basketball program returned to the court Saturday, hosting Tribe Called Sweat in an exhibition game. Sac State obliterated TCS, 128-84. It was the Hornets? first game on the hardwood since last year?s 5-22 performance.

The Hornets were able to spread the floor and take advantage of open looks from the perimeter. Sac State shot a blistering 67.6 percent from the field and an impressive 50 percent from 3-point land. With just over 10 minutes left in the first half, the Hornets took a double-digit lead over TCS, one the team would not relinquish the rest of the game.

Head coach Jerome Jenkins took advantage of the team?s depth, using 11 players in the game, with every player scoring.

“We have a lot of depth,” Jenkins said. “Our bench is better than last year?s.”

Exchanging baskets with TCS, bench player Leo Cravey came into the game and made an immediate impact. Cravey launched a deep three, and would add four more points. Cravey would finish the game with 21 points, tying him with fellow Hornet Cedric Thompkins for the game high. Sac State continued to play hard and took a 19-point lead into the half. The Hornets would continue that style of play in the second half, as the team came out and went on a 21-6 run in the first five minutes of the half, taking a 34 point lead.

Rene Jacques sunk three 3-pointers within a minute of the scoring run, officially sealing the game for the Hornets. Jacques would finish the game with 15 points in just 21minutes.The one dismal point for the Hornets was the defense, said Jenkins. TCS shot 47.6 percent from the field.

“We gave up way too many points,” Jenkins said. “Our defense is going to get better. We need to cut down on our defensive mistakes.”

Individually for the Hornets, guard Ronnie Walton led the team with 12 assists. With the addition of Walton, a transfer from the University of Detroit, Mercy, the Hornets have a guard that will be able to pass the ball effectively and give the rest of the team opportunities to score.

The most complete game for the Hornets came from Thompkins, a 6-foot-7 forward. Thompkins finished the contest with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, as well as 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.

“We came out with a lot of intensity,” Thompkins said. “Ronnie (Walton) was passing the ball real well. I let my game come to me.”

The Hornets will open the season traveling to Memphis, Tenn., where they will be competing in the Guardians Classic. They will round out exhibition play Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Hornet Gym.