Sac State came into the final two home games of the season at 0-23, but they were confident that they could pull out one win, if not both. To do so, they would have to defeat the two teams sharing first place in the Big Sky Conference, the University of Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State University Bobcats.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, they lost 72-31 to Montana and 69-45 to Montana State.

Friday?s game against the Montana saw the Hornets hit 8 of 43 shots, translating into a season low 18.6% from the field.

Sac State missed four shots and turned the ball over three times before junior Samantha Miller made the team?s first field goal more than five minutes into the game to bring the Hornets to within 10 points.

A strong inside presence by Montana?s Laura Valley and three 3-pointers from LeAnn Montes contributed to a 41-14 Grizzlies lead at the half.

“We?re obviously struggling offensively,” head coach Carolyn Jenkins said. “We do all right in practice, but in games we?re having trouble finding the basket.”

The second half did not go much better. Sac State committed 12 more turnovers, bringing their game total to 24. Sophomore Sydney Gatson, the team?s physical and emotional leader for the entire season, did not attempt a shot in the half and was held to just three points in the game.

Twelve of the Grizzlies? 13-woman roster got into the game and all 12 got into the scoring column.

On Saturday, Sac State was back in the gym taking on Montana State. The Bobcats jumped out to a 12-0 lead and forced 18 turnovers in the first half to give themselves a 36-11 lead at halftime.

Montana State?s Jessica Blake was 5-for-9 and had 11 points and teammate Rebecca Alvidrez had six assists and three steals at the half.

The Hornets outscored Montana State 34-33 in the second half while Gatson, who played all 40 minutes of the game, scored 10 points to bring her game total to 12.

Sophomore Danielle Iceman scored 10 points and had six rebounds and freshman Kristine Knowlton had 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. It was not enough though and Montana State coasted to a 69-45 win.

Gatson, who has played most of the season with a torn disc in her back, remained optimistic about her team?s chances to win their last two games of the season.

“We would have liked to get the win here at home, but it just didn?t happen for us,” Gatson said. “We?ll just have to go out and get it on the road.”

Injuries have plagued Sac State all season. Gatson?s injury, which is sometimes so painful she cannot walk, is only the tip of the iceberg.

Tola Tallman, a big part of the Hornets? roster last season had to redshirt this year for medical reasons. Sophomore Alyson Thurman has four herniated discs in her back and has not played since Feb. 9. Junior transfer Delores Olivarez tore her ACL before the season and is still recovering from surgery, and senior Ciara Jenkins, who played in Saturday?s game, has been limited by a broken finger.

Ciara Jenkins and Lori Kerswell were honored during her final game in Hornet Gym Saturday night.

Still, Jenkins does not place all of the blame on injuries and she is looking forward to next season.

“There are a lot things we haven?t done well, but this is how you learn,” Jenkins said. “We appreciate the support we?ve gotten from everybody this season. If the team is healthy and works hard on its game over the summer, we can do some damage next year.”