The Sacramento State women?s basketball team learned that it?s hard to keep up with a team that likes to run, especially when it shoots itself in the foot. The Hornets shot just 27.8 percent from floor and scored only 15 points in the first half en route to a 72-40 loss to Northern Arizona University Saturday at Hornet Gym.

With four players scoring in double digits, including Lace Tolbert?s 15 points and six assists, NAU handed the Hornets another loss. Sac State ran its winless drought to 33 games, which began last season, falling to 0-23 on the season.

Tolbert?s 3-pointer just seven seconds into the game, was the beginning of the end for the Hornets. Sac State?s Danielle Iceman scored on an acrobatic lay-up to tie the game at four, but that was as close as the Hornets would get to the Lumberjacks for the rest of the evening.

NAU then attacked with a more uptempo game, reeling off a 14-0 run that was capped by a Lynsie Blau lay up at the 13:35 mark of the first half. The Lumberjacks used their defense to jumpstart their offense, forcing Sac State into 20 turnovers.

To make matters worse, the Hornets shot 6-of-29 in the first half as the Lumberjacks extended to a 40-15 halftime lead.

“When you shoot 20 percent in the first half, it is very difficult to win ball games, even if you do have a solid second half,” Sac State coach Carolyn Jenkins said.

The Hornets were without sophomore Alyson Thurman (back injury) and senior Ciara Jenkins (foot injury), which left the Hornets with a roster of only seven players.

The second half began with back-to-back baskets by Iceman, who scored a game-high 18 points, to pull the Hornets to within 22 (44-22). Instead of igniting a Hornet comeback, Iceman?s buckets spurred another Lumberjack 16-6 run, stretching their lead to 60-28.

While NAU increased the tempo, Sac State continued to have trouble with the Lumberjacks? transition defense, namely the speedy Lumberjack guards.

“We try to use our athletic guards to our advantage,” NAU coach Meg Sanders said. “It?s something that we work on a lot in practice and today our guards did a terrific job in finding the open person.”

In addition to the 20 turnovers, the 27.8 (15-54) shooting percentage, and a lack of transition defense, the Hornets were out muscled on the boards, 50-36.

Constance Richard, who poured in 11 points for NAU, hauled down a team-high 10 rebounds.

Fatigue seemed to be a factor for the Hornets as guard Sydney Gatson played all 40 minutes and guard Lori Kerswell played 37.

The Hornets, who have been decimated by injuries, were obviously tired due to the lack of bench depth and due to the transition offense of the Lumberjacks.

“I?m proud of our kids for continuing to fight,” Jenkins said. “The effort is there, and as long as we continue to work hard, it?s going to happen for us.”

The Hornets will play their final two home games this week against Montana (Friday, 7:05 p.m.) and Montana State (Saturday, 7:05 p.m.).

“We always play the Montana schools tough,” Jenkins said. “So I think we have a good chance of getting a victory if not two.”