The Sacramento State Hornets women’s basketball team was facing an 18-point deficit against the Northern Colorado University in the first half with 1:28 on the clock.

The Hornets cut the lead down to 46-30 at the half.

The Golden Bears continued kept their lead for the majority of the second half until senior forward Erika Edwards hit a three-pointer, shortening the lead to 11 points and freshman forward Kylie Kuhns cut down the to lead 65-56 with a lay-up.

Northern Colorado’s Whitley Cox knocked down a three-pointer bringing the lead back up to 12.

Junior Forward Emily Christensen answered back with five points of her own cutting the lead to 68-61.

Northern Colorado’s Kaisha Brown buried a three at 6:45 making the lead 74-69.

Tika Kosiyama-Diaz completed the comeback by knocking down a three and tying up the game at 76-76 with 4:45 left on the clock.

The Bears answered back with four points but Edwards knocked down another clutch three bringing the Bears back to a one point lead.

The Hornets finally took the lead after Edwards hit another basket from beyond the arch bringing the score to 85-84 with 1:16 remaining.

The Bears turned over the ball and Christensen took the opportunity to increase the lead to 88-84 after she sank a three-pointer with :40 remaining.

The Hornets closed the game after making five out of six free throws and clinched their spot into the Big Sky Tournament and claimed sole possession of second place in the Big Sky conference.

Christensen had a career high of 26 points while hitting three buckets from behind the arc.

Koshiyama-Diaz ended the game with 16 points and 8 assist after shaking off a first half ankle injury.

Senior Forward Charday Hunt and Kuhns both finished the game with 10 points.

The Hornets will finish out the regular season on the road against Idaho State March 5 and Weber State March 6, before heading to the Big Sky Tournament March 11 through 13.

Jules Ramzy can be reached at [email protected]