The women’s basketball team openedits season with a bang Thursday night rolling through the Cal State Maritime Keelhaulers 119-54 in its first and last exhibition game.

Sac State’s starting lineup featured senior Tika Koshiyama-Diaz, point guard, junior Sami Field-Polisso, guard, sophomore Mallorie Franco, forward, senior Emily Christensen, forward, and sophomore Kylie Kuhns, forward.

The Hornets’ full court press gave the Keelhaulers trouble all night long. The Hornets had 29 steals and 43 forced turnovers. But the women aren’t completely satisfied with their performance just yet.

“As a team we’re going to have to work on our press,” Christensen said. “We aren’t rotating as well as we should be on our press. Our back players aren’t rotating as well, we’re going to have to pick it up on that.”

Sac State’s unquenchable thirst for steals and turnovers may be due to its lofty team goal. They have all eyes set on a Big Sky Conference championship.

“(Our goal is) to win the big sky championship and make the NCAA tournament,” said head coach Jamie Craighead. “I think that’s probably everyone’s goal, to win their conference and get to the NCAA tournament, but I think this team’s capable of doing it.”

By the end of the first half each Sac State player had at least two points, including freshman guard Alle Moreno.

“I want to hit at least a three a game,” Moreno said. “I have to stay consistent, work hard and encourage my teammates.”

The Hornets’ season opener will be Friday at University of the Pacific. The Tigers won in similar fashion against Simpson University Monday night 105-66.

AJ Taylor can be reached at [email protected]