Sacramento State’s women’s basketball team lost for the third time this season to Montana State University today 89-66 in the quarterfinals of the Big Sky Conference Tournament at Reese Court in Cheney, Wash.

The team, which had made a significant improvement on the defensive end at the midpoint of the season, gave up 89 points, thanks to the Bobcats’ 50-percent mark from the floor. The 89 points were the most the Hornets gave up in a losing effort since Jan. 16, when they lost to, coincidentally, Montana State.

The Hornets, on the other hand, shot a dismal 29.3 percent from the floor, leading to their lowest-scoring output since Jan. 15.

Senior forward Charday Hunt and junior forward Emily Christensen each scored 15 points to lead the Hornets. Christensen reeled in a team-high 11 rebounds. Senior Erika Edwards scored eight points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Reese Court was the site of the Hornets’ biggest win of the season, defeating Eastern Washington University, the No. 1 seed in the Big Sky tournament, 78-69 on Feb. 6.

The Bobcats improve to 17-13 and will take on the Eagles tomorrow in the semifinals of the Big Sky tournament.

The Hornets conclude the season at 15-15 &- their best record since the 1994-95 season.

Dustin Nosler can be reached at [email protected]