The Sacramento State men’s basketball team muscled their way to their second win of the season against Idaho State Saturday night. Fast breaks, free throws, and physicality were the keys to the game for both teams, but the Hornets’ success with turnover conversions proved too much for the Bengals, who fell 69-72.

The Hornets’ 2-19 record sums up the struggles they’ve faced this season, but Saturday night’s victory showed no signs of a deflated team. The men shot a respectable 53 percent from the floor in the first half and dominate Idaho State in points off turnovers, 8-1.

Loren Leath led the team with 12 points before half time and 22 overall, helping secure a 15 point cushion going into the break. Coach Brian Katz told the team to embrace the challenge because the Bengals would be coming out strong. “Enjoy the thrill of competition,” he said.

As Katz said, the Hornets certainly needed that cushion. Idaho State earned themselves a chance at the win by controlling the rebounds. The Bengals had a game total of 20 second chance points and 22 defensive rebounds.

Randy Adams came out strong after intermission, shooting three for three with a total of 15 points for the game. Adams said it was just a matter of putting two good halves together, which they’ve had trouble doing lately. “Twenty more minutes,” he told himself.

The fierce game proved to be uncommonly physical on both sides, leaving the big men to battle it out under the basket. With just over three minutes to go, Justin Eller fought his way into the lane and drew a shooting foul, making two of two. Eller said both teams played hard defense, but that Idaho underestimated the Hornets. “We executed on offense,” he said, also noting that the Bengals’ foul trouble hurt them in final minutes.

The victory over Idaho State was a morale booster that the Hornets desperately needed. Adams said it was a big win, but that he’s already focusing on the Northern Colorado game Thursday. Even Katz was laughing after the game. “God, we only had four turnovers,” he snickered. “That’s amazing!”

Check out the video highlight of this game:

Dawn Johnson can be reached at [email protected]