Led by Joe Dawson’s 20 points, the Sacramento State men’s basketball team came away with its first victory of the season Saturday with a 81-65 win over Menlo College at Hornet Gym.

The Hornets improved their record to 1-2 after dropping their first two games of the season to Old Dominion and Wofford at the Guardians Classic in Memphis, Tenn.

“It feels good to get the first win out of the way,” said Sac State guard Rashaad Hooks, who scored 15 points. “Hopefully we can get on a winning streak.”

The Hornets started slow out the gates, falling behind 8-4 after a 3-point basket by Oaks guard Aaron Gray, who finished with 10 points. The Hornets quickly responded and took a 9-8 lead when forward Jimmy White laid in a missed shot by teammate Rene Jacques. The Hornets’ next trip down the floor resulted in a monster put-back jam by high-flying forward Joel Jones. Jones’ sensational slam highlighted a 21-7 Hornet run which gave them a 25-15 lead with 7:56 remaining in the first half.

After the Hornets’ run, Menlo answered right back by going on a 12-4 run of its own. The Oaks’ run cut the Hornet lead down to two points with 4:04 remaining in the first half. This was as close as the Oaks would get however, and the Hornets went into the half with a 40-35 lead.

With starting guards Jacques and Ronnie Walton struggling early in the half, head coach Jerome Jenkins sent in backup guards Dawson and Hooks to give the team a lift. The guards answered Jenkins’ call, combining for 16 first-half points.

The Hornets started the second half on fire, as Dawson scored eight points in a 12-4 run to put the Hornets up 52-39. Dawson led a Hornet bench which combined for 58 of the Hornets’ 81 points.

“We have a lot of weapons off the bench, so it is hard for (opposing teams) to do a scouting report on us,” said Dawson, who made his Hornet debut Saturday.

Dawson was suspended for the first two games by the NCAA, because he played in the two Hornet exhibition games despite being ruled ineligible.

The Oaks cut the Hornet lead down to eight points with 4:55 remaining, but the Hornets converted on nine consecutive free throws to give themselves a 15-point lead.

“The free throws put the nail in the coffin,” said Hooks, who converted on 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch. The Hornets left the 560 fans in attendance with a little eye candy as Dawson hooked up with Jones on a rim rattling ally-oop dunk. Jones finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, three blocked shots, and two steals.

Derek Lambeth led the Hornets with nine rebounds, while Jacques dished out three assists. “This win means a lot,” said Jenkins after the game. “We handled a lot of adversity tonight.”

With a 5-24 record last year, Jenkins knows that it will take more than one preseason victory to turn the program around.

“Sacramento wants a winner, and we hope to bring one to them,” said Jenkins. Despite Hooks and Johnson combining for 35 points off the bench, Jenkins says he plans to keep Walton and Jacques as his starters.

“It is too early in the season the change the lineup,” said Jenkins. The Hornets will next take the court at San Jose State University on Nov. 11, while their next home game is Dec. 3 at 7:05 p.m. against Southern Utah University.