It was only an exhibition, but the Hornets showed signs why they have been picked by many to be a top three finisher in Big Sky Conference men’s basketball this season.

Five Hornets scored in double figures and every player who checked in played more than 13 minutes as Sac State beat Simpson College 101-69 at the Hornets Nest on Wednesday night.

“We tried to move the ball a little bit and get some scores,” junior point guard Haron Hargrave said.

Sac State shot 51 percent in the game, constantly applying pressure on the Simpson defense.

The Red Hawks only have one player over 6-foot-4, which allowed the Hornets to use their size for easy transition baskets, off of rebounds and made shots.

Hargrave, who logged a team-high 27 minutes, said the team is always looking to push the ball, hoping to catch the defense off-guard.

In something coach Jerome Jenkins said the Hornets might do often this season, Hargrave and starting point guard DaShawn Freeman played on the court at the same time.

“Those two guys get after the ball,” Jenkins said. “Whoever gets the ball plays the point and the other plays (shooting guard).”

Senior Jason Harris led all scorers with 17 on 6-of-11 shooting, followed by Alex Bausley and Hargrave, who each had 15 for the Hornets. Leading Simpson was junior Richard Mitchell with 20. Freeman, who played only 18 minutes, had nine points, nine rebounds, and three steals, while Jason Gilzene was 5 for 5 with 10 points and four rebounds in 13 minutes.

The Hornets pressed the Red Hawks all night, forcing 30 turnovers.

In a game that coaches and players use to get ready for the opener against Samford Nov. 15 in the Guardians Classic in Texas, Jenkins said he liked what he saw.

“Guys were out there working together. Working to get better.” Jenkins said.

Sac State will take on Notre Dame de Namur at 7:35 p.m. on Friday at the Hornets Nest in the second of a back-to-back with the women’s team. The women’s game starts at 5:05 p.m. It will be the men’s final exhibition game.

Robert Alvis can be reached at [email protected]