Turnovers and missed free throws caused the Sacramento State women’s basketball team to lose once again; this time it was a 66-59 loss to Montana State at the Hornets’ Nest.

Before the tip-off, Sac State came out and looked ready to play against a team with a better record in Montana State. This season has been a season of losing and learning, primarily due to the youth and inexperience of the Hornets.

“We have a lot of young players,” Coach Dan Muscatell said. “I think tonight they wanted to win a little too bad, and it hurt us in the end.”

The first half involved a lot of back and forth baskets, and in the first half alone there were six lead changes. By the end of the half, Montana State was taking control as they repeatedly forced turnovers. Montana scored 15 of their 34 first-half points off Sac State turnovers.

Hornets guard Kim Sheehy scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including four big three pointers in the half that kept Sac State in the game to the final minute.

Montana State was too strong as they relied on center Nubia Garcia, who went 9-for-12 for a game-high 18 points. Montana also outlasted the Hornets’ attack with a balanced scoring effort. Four Montana State players scored in double digits.

Turnovers ruined Sac State’s chances for a win as they turned the ball over 14 times in the second half en route to a total of 27.

The Hornets’ free throw shooting performance continued to be a bad spot. The Hornets went 17-for-26 from the foul line.

The loss added to a long list this season, and players and coaches appeared frustrated.

“Losing sucks,” Muscatell said.

But the game tonight showed that Sac State is on the right path and is improving.

“We’re getting better. We’re improving every day,” said Sheehy.

The loss dropped the team to 3-20 for the season. Sac State takes on Montana tonight at 7:05 p.m. at the Hornets’ Nest.