In a fast-paced, hard-fought battle, the Sacramento State Hornets women’s basketball team defeated the Idaho State University Bengals, 80-71, on Saturday afternoon at the Hornets Nest.

The win was Sac State’s first in 13 seasons against Idaho State, as the team had been 0-27 all-time against the Bengals. It was also their fourth-consecutive Big Sky Conference win.

The game started off at a blistering pace with both teams pushing the ball up court on each possession. Sac State gained the early advantage, causing 14 turnovers by the Bengals in the first 13:43 of the game. Putting tight pressure on Idaho State’s defense, the Hornets had 21 points off turnovers in the first half and 31 points for the game.

“Our game plan was to win, also to keep pressing,” said forward, Charday Hunt.

Pressing is what they did, causing sloppy play from Idaho State and earning the Hornets 16 steals by half time and 22 for the game &- a season high.

Hunt led the way for Sac State at the free throw line, going 6-8 by halftime. Idaho State, as a team, managed only three attempts in the half. The Hornets were 25-31 at the stripe for the game, compared to 5-10 by the Bengals.

Sac State went into the half shooting 33.3 percent from the field, while Idaho State shot 64.0 percent. Idaho’s bench outscored Sac State’s, 15-8, going into the half. Despite shooting a lower percentage, the Hornets managed to lead at the half, 42-37.

In the second half, the Hornets came out with the same intensity they began the game with. Point guard Ashley Garcia helped facilitate the Hornet offense early in the second half. She had a team-high eight assists.

The Hornets kept the pressure on both sides of the ball for the majority of the game, causing the Bengals’ offense to fatigue, making for poor-shooting second half.

“We like to keep the pressure on the other team,” said head coach Jamie Craighead. “Shooters need legs and if they are fatigued, their shots won’t fall.”

As the game minutes ran down, the team’s game plan of putting pressure on both sides of the ball was a success.

“Controlled chaos is what we say,” said forward, Emily Christensen, who finished the day with 16 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high eight steals.

The win moves the Hornets into a tie for fourth-place in the conference standings at 4-4. They now own an 8-12 record overall. The team is looking to extend their win streak when they travel to Portland State University on Friday for a 7:05 p.m. game.

Sergio Saldana can be reached at [email protected]