It is kind of ironic that the player who brought the crowd to its feet is the same player who normally sits.

He hadn’t even been able to dress for the last five games while waiting for a final grade. He wasn’t able to travel with the team in its first road trip in the Big Sky Conference either.

Junior point guard James Payne had actually only seen playing time in seven games this season. He had only made two shots. But when his teammates desperately needed a spark, the player who head coach Jerome Jenkins calls a team leader behind closed doors, came through with a smile on his face.

And no one could really blame him.

He played eight minutes in the second half and wearing a grin the whole time, he sunk a 3-pointer that he watched bank in while sprawled out on the court -giving Sacramento State its final lead of the game. He even managed to snag a rebound and an assist.

In Sac state’s 77-71 win over Montana State (11-8, 3-3), Payne was the unlikely hero.

“I was surprised,” Payne said of when Jenkins summoned him into the game with over eight minutes remaining and the Hornets down 52-48. “I had big eyes. I was like, ‘you’re calling me.’?(Jenkins) was like ‘go in and do what you do.'”

So he did.

The Bobcats starting point guard, Jason Erickson, was leading the Big Sky in scoring with 17.2 points per game and Thursday he led all scorers with 24. But while Payne was in the game, Erickson was held to one assist and was forced into one turnover.

“(Payne) deserved this opportunity,” Jenkins said. “I just had gut feeling that he was going to bring the energy. That’s what he does everyday for us.”

The Hornets (8-11, 2-4), who were last in the conference, desperately needed to pick up a game at home to remain in the hunt for a spot in the Big Sky postseason tournament. With the win they are now tied with Portland State and Montana for the final playoff spot.

“It was an emotional game,” junior Jameel Pugh said. “Guys were really tired of losing. We had our backs to the wall, so we just came out fighting. When you corner somebody into a tight spot they’re going to come out fighting. Nobody on this team is ready to give up or quit. We still have our goals and we’re going to fight hard to accomplish them.”

Pugh fought hard for eight rebounds and eight points. Accompanied by senior Cedric Thompkins’ seven rebounds, the Hornets were able to control the boards with a 39-30 advantage.

“We knew we weren’t playing up to our capabilities?,” Pugh said. “We felt like we had to come out and worry about the little things. It is the little things that determine a win or a loss.”

Thursday night the Hornets did most of the little things. They made 22 of 27 free throws, they gave the offense 14 second chance attempts, they dished out 15 assists -five coming from Joseth Dawson – and the defense was able to come up with 10 steals.

And despite doing many of the little things coach Jenkins has harped on, the fourth year coach isn’t content.

“I’m not satisfied with any of these players’ performances tonight,” Jenkins said. “This is a business. These guys have to come and get it done every single night. We’re a little bit disappointed with our 1-4 start and people are trying to close the casket on us. But we’re not going to die. We’re going to keep living.”

To go along with his rebounds, Thompkins pitched in a career-high 22 points on 10 of 11 shooting. His turnaround jumper and hook shot were fluent from the block for most of the night.

Senior Brandon Guyton finished with 16 points, knocking down four 3-pointers. Dawson added on 11 points, sinking a 3-pointer that gave Sac State a 65-56 advantage with 2:40 left in the game.

The Hornets had a 28-22 lead going into the half but the Bobcats were able to go on a 18-10 run which included 12 points from Erickson. So in came Payne to try and stop the conference’s leading scorer. “I didn’t even know that I was going to play tonight,” Payne, who finished the game with five points, said. “(Jenkins) might not call on me for three games and then he’ll call on me for one game. He always tells me to be ready. He always tells me he has the utmost confidence in me.”

There was a moment in the game, when Sac State had taken a 58-53 lead and a foul was called on Payne. While the Bobcats Frank Brown prepared to take his free throw – which he later missed – coach Jenkins called Payne to the sideline.

The crowd was heckling the referees for what they perceived to be a bad call. Coach Jenkins had Payne by the arm and was shouting instructions in his ear.

And Payne – well there was only one thing he was left to do of course – smile.