The Sacramento State women’s basketball team won its home opener against the visiting Bethany Bruins.

In the team’s 52-48 win over Bethany, senior Stephanie Cherry led the Hornets with 12 points and five steals.

After the game, Cherry said it was important for the team to win at home and they were going to use the win as motivation to get better.

“Its our goal never to lose at home,” Cherry said.

Senior Kim Sheehy was second on the team in scoring with 10 and added two three-pointers in the 2nd period.

Women’s basketball head coach Dan Muscatell said he was pleased with the production of his younger players.

Muscatell saw his “young pups” play nervously in the beginning as three freshman and three sophomores got some playing time in the game.

But when freshman Kelli Davis hit back-to-back threes with the Hornets trailing 40-31 in the 2nd period, it “broke the ice” Muscatell said and sparked a comeback in the team.

Defensively, the Hornets were not as sharp as Muscatell hoped. Muscatell said there were missed opportunities at easy baskets due to rocky rotations, but he felt the younger players made some major accomplishments.

‘We just got to keep getting better everyday. You just can’t get caught up in the scoreboard. I wouldn’t be caught up if we won by 50,” Muscatell said.

Davis, who was 3-9 of the night for eight points, said it was important for the team to win its home opener in the Hornets Nest.

“It’s our sanctuary, we don’t want to be beat here,” Davis said.