The Sacramento State women’s basketball team failed to clinch its first playoff berth since the 1996-1997 season as they were defeated 59-57 by Portland State on Thursday night.

Portland State, led by forward Heather Arns’ game-high 23 points and five assists, handed the Hornets their sixth consecutive loss and left their playoff hopes in the air.

“I thought Portland State played really hard,” head coach Dan Muscatell said. “We played hard in spots, but we had some lulls,”

The Hornets trailed the Vikings 57-58 after center Katelyn Ciampi hit two free throws with 22 seconds left in the game. A Viking turnover put the ball back into the Hornets’ possession, but forward Ashley Cadotte missed a mid-range jumper leading to a Viking rebound.

The Hornets immediately fouled with 15 seconds left in the game.

The Hornets Nest was buzzing with nearly all 340 fans on hand on their feet as Marci Garski went to the free throw line. Garski’s miss at the line led to a Viking rebound and another Hornet foul.

Heidi Stuart’s free throw with 11 seconds bounced off the iron and into the hands of Ciampi who quickly passed it to guard Stephanie Cherry. Although a basket would have put the Hornets ahead, Cherry was relaxed and smiling as she shot the ball with 5 seconds remaining on the clock.

“It was just like a regular shot to me. I didn’t feel any pressure,” Cherry said.

Cherry’s shot rimmed out and the Vikings went on to win the game.

“This loss hurts, but they came out and played like they wanted it more so you can’t take anything from them,” Cherry said.

Cherry led the Hornets in scoring with 13 points in 32 minutes.

“They have to leave this game here and come back tomorrow and get ready to beat Eastern Washington,” Muscatell said. “That’s all you can do so that’s our mantra and that’s what we’re going to come back and do.”

This was the Hornets’ second game playing without their leading scorer Tyeisha Brown. Brown suffered possible cartilage damage in her knee in a game on Feb. 19 and is now listed as day-to-day coming into this weekend.

Sac State (7-19, 3-10) is tied for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Big Sky with Montana State.

That spot will be decided on Saturday when the Hornets take on Eastern Washington. If the Hornets win their game Saturday, then they will clinch a spot in the playoffs. If they lose they must rely on Idaho State to beat the Bobcats in Bozeman, Mont. Saturday afternoon.

That game begins at 1:05 p.m. Pacific, meaning that Sac State should know its tournament fate by halftime of its game with the Eagles.

Tip-off against Eastern Washington is Saturday at 2:05 p.m. in the Hornets Nest.