It was a tale of two halves Sunday as Sacramento State’s women’s basketball stayed close in the first half and managed to pull away from UC Riverside in the second half winning their home opener 59-58.

Last season, it took the Hornets 14 games to achieve their first and only win that coming at Portland State. This year, the Hornets managed to match that total after only two games. It was the Hornets first home win since January 9, 2003 against San Jose Christian, when the Hornets won 90-46. It was also the first victory at home over a Div. I team for the program since 2002.

“I am so unbelievably happy for our players, first and foremost, but our staff, our fans… to kind of give them this is really cool,” second year head coach Muscatell said.

In the first half, Riverside took control early on the strength of five 3-pointers, three from guard Holly Peterson and two from guard Cassandra Reeves. However, junior forward Lindsey Heard scored eight of her team-high 13 points in the first half to help keep the Hornets close.

Sophomore guard Kim Sheehy scored seven points in the first half and 10 overall, to help the Hornets cut a deficit that was as large as 10 points at 23-13 with 7:15 left before halftime to only 4 before halftime.

Riverside entered the locker room at the half leading, 32-28.

Freshman guard Ali Mollet scored eight of her 10 points during a run in which the Hornets outscored Riverside 11-6 to take the lead at 39-38. Sac State took the lead on a 3-point basket from Heard. The Hornets had four players score in double figures comprising Sheehy (10), Cadotte (10), Mollet (10) and Heard (13). Mollet also led the team with five assists as the Hornets showed good ball movement.

“I finally got some playing time and I knew that I needed to come out and start contributing because I had the time to do it. So, I was just ready to go,” Mollet said. “I had the time of my life, it was great.”

Despite Riverside forward Kemie Nkele’s 22 points and 12 rebounds and shooting just two of eight from the free throw line down the stretch the Hornets managed to hold on to secure the victory.

“I think that every year, if you play a team that is at or near where you are at, in terms of athleticism or skill, that first win is always hard to get,” Muscatell said. “Hopefully its the start of many more to come.”