The Sacramento State Hornets stung themselves in the foot Friday against Weber State University, losing 76-72 in overtime, but rebounded Saturday to knock off Idaho State University 90-80.

The win over the Bengals gives the Hornets’ men’s basketball team sole possession of sixth place in the big Sky Conference.

“Everyone wants to play in March,” forward Joel Jones said.

That’s just what the Hornets will be doing if they can hold onto their sixth and final playoff spot.

Jones averaged 21.5 points during the home stand, while Jay Richardson led the Hornet big men, averaging 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.

Sac State and Weber State came into Friday’s game headed in opposite directions.

The Hornets had lost three straight and were losing grip on their Big Sky tournament chances.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, came into the game riding a three-game winning streak.

From the opening score, an alley-oop from guard Ronnie Walton to a high-flying Jones, it was evident that the 1,074 fans in attendance were in for a wild night.

One of those fans was Hornet football coach John Volek. Volek watched as the Hornets were lured into the Wildcats rugged, physical style of play. The Hornets were called for 25 fouls, and several devilish glares were exchanged between opposing players.

While Volek came to Hornet Gym expecting to sit back and watch a basketball game, he may have left the gym with a few candidates to fill graduating senior Beau Huiskins shoes at fullback.

With fourteen seconds remaining in regulation, and the game knotted at 67 points apiece, Joe Dawson’s 3-point attempt hit iron and Richardson’s put back attempt fell short, sending the game to overtime.

The Bobcats controlled the overtime period, using three Jermaine Boyette free throws in the final 1:14 to close the game out for the Wildcats. Boyette finished the game with 27 points, while forward Nic Sparrow scored 20, including 4 of 6 3-pointers.

Jones scored 24 points in the Hornet loss, while senior guard Rene Jacques was the only other Hornet in double figures with 10.

“I hate losing games like this, but it’s a developing process,” said Jerome Jenkins, who is currently in his second year as Hornet head coach.

Jenkins’ squad would bounce back the next night to knock off Idaho State.

With the win, the Hornets tied the team’s overall win total (nine), and conference win total (three) since moving up to Div. I in the 1991-1992 season.

The Hornets opened the game with a 6-0 run, and sealed the game with a 9-3 run. In fact, running is what the Hornets did all night against the Bengals, using an aggressive defense to ignite a fast-paced offense.

“We depend on our defense tremendously,” Jenkins said. “We just go balls out for it. We never want to be in limbo, lala land.”

Dawson recorded his first double-double of the year, scoring 17 points and notching 10 assists. Jacques scored in double figures for the second consecutive night, amassing a team-high 22 points.

In the absence of point guard Ronnie Walton, who was out with a stress fracture in his shin, Jenkins gave the starting nod to junior Rashaad Hooks. Hooks responded with eight points, three assists, three steals, and a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from the field.”We’re grooming him,” said Jenkins, referring to several occasions in the game when he pulled Hooks aside.

“When we get Ronnie Walton healthy, Rashaad Hooks will still be our starting point guard the rest of the way.”

Hooks understands his role on the team.

“(Coach) wants me to lead the team, and be assertive,” Hooks said. “I’m trying to be a leader out there.”

How far Hooks is ready to lead the Hornets is yet to be seen, however, Jenkins likes his team’s chances if Hooks is capable of carrying them to the Big Sky tournament.

“We know the mission ahead,” Jenkins said. “We feel we can beat any one of these teams on any given day.”

The Hornets will next head to Northern Arizona University, University of Montana, and Montana State.