After a Thanksgiving break road trip that was more famine thanfeast, the Sacramento State women’s basketball team returnedto its nest for the home opener on Monday night in need of somehome cooking.

Unfortunately Santa Clara University guard Michelle Cozad hadother plans. Her game-high 34 points led the Broncos to a 79-69win.

With the loss the Hornets drop to 0-5, while Santa Clara evenstheir record at 2-2.

Sac State made a final push in the closing minutes when guardSamania Black hit two free throws to cut the lead to 74-67 with2:53 to play.

But Cozad sealed the Broncos’ victory with a three-pointplay as she was fouled while scoring a layup with 1:47 to play.

Cozad erupted for 20 points in the second half, as the Broncoseventually pulled away and built their largest lead at 65-50 with8:33 left.

Whitney Sutak was the only other Bronco in double figures as shefinished with 17 points, including hitting 3-of-6 from 3- pointrange.

The Broncos finished 7-of-16 in 3-pointers, while the Hornetswere 0-of-5.

“We can’t live and die from the 3-point line.It’s not our makeup,” Hornet head coach Dan Muscatellsaid.

The opening minutes saw several lead changes with the Hornetsbuilding their largest lead of the game at 19-16 with 9:58 left inthe first half on a Jessica Voisard jump hook from the lowblock.

The Broncos would take the lead for good on a jumper by AshleyGonnerman with 8:00 left in the first half giving Santa Clara a21-20 lead. They took a 42-36 advantage at the half.

“I didn’t think we came out with enoughintensity,” Santa Clara head coach Michelle Bento said.”We got ourselves in tremendous foul trouble, but we kept ourcomposure.”

Santa Clara’s foul trouble enabled the Hornets to get tothe free throw line an eye-popping 45 times, however Sac State wasunable to capitalize as they missed 16 of those free throws.

“I know we could have won this one,” Hornet guardSarah Craig said after scoring eight points in 21 minutes.”We have to get past our old mindset. Once we get our firstwin out of the way it’ll start to be fun.”

Point guard Tyeisha Brown led the Hornets with 18 points off thebench in 28 minutes. Center Danielle Iceman added 14 points, whileforward Katelyn Ciampi had 11.

Jessica Voisard added five points and led the team with 11rebounds off the bench.

“We had some untimely misses down the stretch. To get overthe hump we have to make plays at critical times,” Muscatellsaid.

The Hornets traveled to the University of Oregon over theholiday break to play in the Oregon Classic tournament. Theydropped the opener on Friday 69-42 to North Carolina StateUniversity.

Stephanie Cherry led the Hornets with 10 points, while Craigadded seven points and six rebounds.

They lost their second and final game to the University ofKansas 70-64 on Saturday. Trailing by as many as 20 points in thesecond half, the Hornets went on a 16-0 run to make thingsinteresting.

“We were tentative offensively against North Carolina, butwe found some things against Kansas,” Muscatell said.

Ciampi led the Hornets with 13 points, while Craig added 12, andBlack had 10.

The Hornets will head back on the road for the Commerce BankTournament in Manhattan, Kan. on Friday and Saturday.

They will play Kansas State on Friday, followed by either SaintLouis University or Texas-Pan American on Saturday.

Senior guard Sydney Gatson may see her first action of theseason in Kansas after suffering a ligament sprain in her rightknee in a preseason game. Her status is questionable.