The Sacramento State Women’s basketball team defeated Northern Arizona University, 77-66, Sunday.The Hornets’ record improves 6-12 overall and 2-4 in Big Sky Conference play, while the Lumberjacks fall to 4-15, 2-4 inside the Big Sky.

Northern Arizona gained an advantage approximately five minutes into the first quarter, scoring two 3-pointers to take the lead. Both teams tossed the lead back and forth until under the nine-minute mark.

Senior Charday Hunt scored a three-pointer, giving the Hornets the lead for the first half. Due to a fast break layup from Junior Emily Christensen, Sac State had its largest lead of the game at 35-27, with 5:01 remaining in the first half.

In the second half, Northern Arizona stepped up their offense to trail by four points with 17:23 to play.

The Lumberjacks maintained a close game the majority of the second half, with the Hornets leading by only five points with 6:47 remaining. It was not long after until the five-point lead became an eight-point lead, when Hunt scored another 3-pointer.

Again, Northern Arizona scored for two but it was not enough for junior Tika Koshiyama-Diaz to break the Lumberjack’s consistency. Koshiyama-Diaz scored for two off of her own rebound to maintain the lead.

Hunt said she felt that the team improved throughout the game and was able to learn from their mistakes.

“We were playing more aggressive on defense,” Hunt said. “In our past games, we would all just kind of run back and not press. In this game, we put a lot of pressure on them. We forced them to have a lot of turnovers.”

Hunt led the Hornets with 26 points. Koshiyama-Diaz finished with 16 points and five assists. Senior Ashley Garcia scored 12 points, with seven assists. Senior Erika Edwards led the hornets with 11 rebounds, and junior Emily Christensen finished with eight points and eight rebounds.Although Hornets pulled a win, Koshiyama-Diaz felt that there is still room for progress.

“We will continue to play fast and knock down more shots because our shooting percentage wasn’t that great today,” Koshiyama-Diaz said. “So, we’ll improve that for next game and we’re going to get the next win and learn how to extend leads.”

Sacramento State went 24-of-27 from the foul line, and forcing the Lumberjacks to commit 24 turnovers. The Hornets also posted 25 fast break points in the contest.

Sac State returns to the Hornets Nest Thursday, as they host the Weber State University Wildcats at 7:05 p.m.

Ashley O’Con can be reached at [email protected]