Sac State women’s basketball coach Dan Muscatell spared the platitudes after his team beat the Eagles of Eastern Washington 69-61 Thursday. “I’m not going to tell you that we need to take it one game at a time,” Muscatell said of the bland retort used by seemingly every coach and player in the world. “If we play hard every game things will work themselves out.”

The Hornets (7-11, 2-4) were able to improve their conference record to 2-4 on the season with a game that saw Sac State out hustle and out work the Eagles (9-10, 3-3). Sac State began the game on fire, jumping out to an immediate 14-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. “It wasn’t anything in particular that got us the lead,” Muscatell said. “We just made shots and (the Eagles) didn’t.”

Sac State was able to hold off a number of runs by the Eagles to end the half leading 37-30. In the second half the Hornets knew the game was still very much up in the air. “We knew they would come back in the second half,” said senior forward Lindsey Heard. Heard recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. With starting center Katelyn Ciampi able to play just 17 minutes before fouling out, it was up to Heard to answer the call and she did. The Hornets withstood several late game charges by the Eagles to finish the game out strong for the eight point win.

Hornets Junior guard Stephanie Cherry scored 20 points in the game, including 14 in the first half, to lead all scorers. Cherry visibly frustrated opposing guard Leah Gonnella with her press defense especially in the first half. “My offense is predicated on my defense,” Cherry said. “I was able to put pressure on (Gonnella) and it got my offense going.” Cherry tied career highs in three pointers made (4) and steals (5). When informed of that fact Cherry simply brushed it off. “That doesn’t really mean anything to me. I’m just happy with the win.”

The Big Sky playoffs are within reach for the Hornets who needed this game badly to get back into the race. “All of the teams in the Big Sky are very close talent-wise,” Muscatell said. “We’ve had some hard luck in some games, but I like the effort our players are putting forward.”

Sac State has a big game on Saturday when the Hornets take on the Vikings of Portland State at the Hornets Nest at 2:05 p.m.

Benn Hodapp can be reached at [email protected]