The Sacramento State Hornets (0-5) suffered their fifth straight loss at the hands of the Idaho State Vandals (2-5) on Monday night, 72-58. It was the team’s first game against a Big Sky Conference opponent with the Hornet’s still searching for their first win of the season.

Playing in front of a home crowd the Hornets got off to a slow start as both teams struggled to find their rhythm early on. The hot three-point shooting by Idaho State proved to be the difference in the game as the Vandals shot .563 percent from three-point range.

The outside shooting of Idaho guards Mac Hopson and Trevor Morris was enough to keep the Hornets at bay for most of the game, which opened up the paint for forward Brandon Wiley who finished with 19 points and one block.

“They were 9 for 16 (from three point range). We talked about d’ing up harder and not getting frustrated because they were making shots, and I thought we did get a little frustrated,” Hornets head coach Brian Katz said after the game. “I just thought if we came out and tightened up our defense we’d be solid but unfortunately we didn’t, then they started going inside.”

The play of junior guards Antonio Flaggs and Mike Marcial was a bright spot for the Hornets, with Marcial throwing a picture perfect alley-oop lop to center Justin Eller to put the Hornets up 9-6 in the first quarter.

The momentum quickly shifted to Idaho State, as they hit six quick three pointers that resulted in a 31-17 lead with six minutes to go in the first-half.

Not to be outdone, Flaggs answered by converting a buzzer-beating three pointer that cut the Vandals lead to 11 to end the half, 39-28.

“At the end of the half normally we run a baseline play for the guard to break down the defender and try to create. Our job for us on the wings is just to get open and knock it down,” said Flaggs, who led the Hornets with a team-high 16 points. “It’s really a team effort, our offense is (designed) to play inside out so when our big men dominate down low it gets our guards open.”

He added, “Basically we had a good scouting report, we just didn’t execute on defense. We knew all their plays we just didn’t take care of business when we needed to.”

The steady play of point guard Mike Marcial was crucial for the Hornets’ offense, as he came off the bench to record a team-high seven assists and no turnovers. In a game where both teams struggled to take care of the ball (33 combined turnovers), Marcial was able to make plays and set up his teammates throughout the course of the game.

“It’s been a learning process for everybody, especially me. It’s my first year at this level. I feel more confident every game, every time we step on the court I feel like I get more comfortable with everybody else,” Marcial said, who also tallied two points and a steal.

“Coach Katz wanted us to not back off and make them put it on the floor,” he said, “they shot lights out in the first half unfortunately, but they didn’t hit as many threes in the second half. We tried to get up in them a little more and make them put it on the deck.”

In the end, the inside-outside scoring of the Vandals were simply too much for the Hornets to overcome. A late three pointer by Flaggs at the end of the second half was not enough to get the Hornets back in the game as Idaho State pulled away with the final score, 72-58.

The next game for the Hornets will be at home against rival UC Davis on Wednesday night. Opening Tip-off is at 7:35 p.m.

Mike Mital can be reached at [email protected]