A 25-point loss could only mean one thing to the Sacramento State women’s hoops team: it?s an improvement.

Friday’s 82-57 loss to San Jose State University is the closest game for the Hornets of their six games. Fans prepared to settle in for the long night when head coach Carolyn Jenkins used three timeouts by the time the clock had ticked down to 12:58 remaining in the first half with the Spartans leading 29-6. The Hornets stayed at least 18 points away for the rest of the game.

“We were trying to stop the run that San Jose State had,” Jenkins said. “I think we panicked.”

By the half, Sac State trailed by 20 points giving San Jose State the lead at 52-32, and had used five of the six total timeouts. Even with these factors against them, the Hornets still came out of the locker room as strong as ever for the second half, never giving up.

“As quick as they went up by 20, that’s as quick as we can even it,” Jenkins told the team at half.

Although this loss put Sac State to 0-6, many positive aspects were taken from the game. The team was able to set five season game-high records with 57 points, 18 field goals, six 3-pointers, 14 assists and 11 steals. The game marked the first time this season that the Hornets eclipsed the half-century mark.

“I thought we played pretty much even in the second half,” Jenkins said. “We cut our turnovers in half.”

In the first half alone, San Jose State forced 16 Hornet turnovers with eight more in the second half. The Spartans shot 45.5 percent from the field during the game, as compared to Sac State’s 29.5 percent, and ended with a game-high score of 82.

Despite the lopsided score, Sac State showed determination, as they fought for every ball during the entire game. Sophomore Sydney Gatson controlled the flow of the game showing her three years of experience with the Hornets.

“She went from playing five to ten minutes a game to playing 30 to 35 minutes a game,” Jenkins said. “She is learning by fire in each game (and is) slowly getting better.”

Senior Ciara Jenkins led the Hornets with 12 points while sophomore Alyson Thurman followed with 10 points. Thurman also had a game-high 16 rebounds.

“It’s great to see her come alive and see her scoring and her rebounding,” Jenkins said.

Senior Lori Kerswell made her first basketball appearance after playing for the Sac State women’s soccer team. Kerswell ended the night with seven points and five rebounds, fourth among her teammates in total points.

“She has exhausted her eligibility in soccer,” Jenkins said. “Lori brings to the team a tough, small competitor to add depth to the point guard position.”

Sac State has shown marked improvement since its first appearance against Colorado State University, resulting in a 72-point loss. The Hornets will play United States Air Force Academy on Friday and looks to improve on the progress that they are making.

“We’re going to have to be big on the boards and we’re going to have to limit our turnovers,” Jenkins said. “Air Force is big on the glass.”