A week ago senior Joel Jones was frustrated with the play of his teammates, but following a 89-45 win over San Jose Christian on Tuesday, the senior changed his tone a little bit.

“We have to be sure of every game,” Jones said. “If we know we can beat a team we have to put them away quickly like we did in this game.”

And quickly they did. The Warriors didn’t hit the double-digit mark until 4:47 was left in the first half. By that time Sacramento State (3-1) had already amassed a 34-11 lead.

With the full-court press and man-to-man defense forcing the Warriors into 32 turnovers for the game, Sac State’s fast-paced offense and fast-break theatrics were in overdrive.

“We are really trying to work on that press,” senior Brandon Guyton said. “Keeping the turnovers coming so we can transition in the fast-break.”

Guyton led the team with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and chalked up three of the Hornets’ 17 steals.

“I’m just trying to stay consistent and provide energy on the defensive end and take good shots on the offensive end,” Guyton said. “We have a lot of good players, penetrators that see me on the floor. All I have to do is knock down shots. It’s not very tough. They do it all for me.”

Sac State had five players scoring in double digits, including 12 points each from Jameel Pugh and Jones, respectively, and 10 from center Tony Champion.

Pugh and Jones even exchanged assists early on. Pugh first served a dish to Jones who converted a lay-up and Jones returned the favor by setting Pugh up for his only dunk of the game.

E.J. Harris put the game away late in the first half when he found Guyton with a behind-the-back pass to bring the crowd to it feet. Harris finished the game with five assists, as did starting point guard Dashawn Freeman.

The Warriors were led by Mark Strom, who scored a game-high 18 points, shooting 8-of-20 from the field.

Guyton again teamed with fellow guard Joseth Dawson to lead Sac State offensively. Dawson finished with 15 points against the Warriors, sinking two 3-pointers.

The Warrior guards, Herman Johnson and Rick Hoffman struggled to contain Dawson all game as the senior easily found his way into the key for lay-ups and short jumpers.

On Saturday, the Hornets blew a second-half lead at Cal State Fullerton, only to survive 78-71 in overtime. Dawson nailed four 3-pointers in the win and scored six of his team-high 20 points in overtime, while Guyton, who sank five shots from 3-point range, finished with 16.

“It seemed like even though (Fullerton) was scoring and getting closer to our lead, we knew we weren’t going to lose,” Jones said. “When they tied the game and took it to overtime, I couldn’t imagine myself losing. I don’t think anybody could.”

Jenkins and the team are still working on the refinement of the half-court offense. With five players on the roster who saw no time last season and the number of new plays coach Jenkins is implementing, the offense is still a work in progress.

“I tell them, just trust one another and play together and good things will happen,” Jenkins said.