Despite a career night by sophomore guard Jackson Carbajal, the Sacramento State men’s basketball team lost its third straight game Saturday 79-67 to San Jose State University.

The non-conference game was a part of the 10th annual ESPN BracketBusters event and it did not effect the Hornets’ chance at making the postseason.

The BracketBusters game gives teams an opportunity to play a non-conference game before the Division I March Madness tournament begins.

The Hornets dominated the first half of the game, but foul trouble and 68 percent shooting in the second half by the Spartans gave the Hornets their 17th loss of the season despite a career-high 24 points from Carbajal.

Hornets’ head coach Brian Katz said Carbajal’s aggressiveness helped him play to his best ability.

“I thought he played very well,” Katz said. “He’s being aggressive. He is a kind of the guy we thought he could be. He’s a real bouncy athletic guy that can jump up above you and shoot it, he can get to the rim and he can rebound and finish.”

The Hornets (9-17, 4-10 Big Sky Conference) started the game slow and were down 7-2 after two minutes, but a 15-0 run put them up 17-7 and in clear control.

The Spartans (9-17, 1-9 Western Athletic Conference) answered back and brought the lead down to five with seven minutes remaining, but the Hornets answered back to go up by nine.

Back-and-forth scoring sent the game to the half with the Hornets up by six, but the Hornets doubled that to start the second half and were up 46-34.

The Spartans responded with a 16-2 run that put them up 50-48, but the Hornets quickly regained the lead 51-50.

After the game was knotted up at 59, the Spartans could not miss from behind the arc and they watched their lead grow to 10 and eventually 12 to end the game.

Foul trouble late in the game contributed to the Hornets’ collapse.

Carbajal, junior guard Jordan Estrada and junior forward John Dickson all ended the game with four fouls, but each of them had three fouls early in the second half, causing them to sit.

The Hornets committed 13 fouls in the first half and 12 fouls in the second half, which led to 21 Spartan free throws, 19 of which they made.

Freshman point guard Dylan Garrity said guarding the Spartans is difficult because of all the different ways they can beat you.

“I think they are a tough team to guard in general,” Garrity said. “They have three good quick guards that can take you off the dribble or shoot in your face so it’s tough to guard that.”

The Spartans senior center Wil Carter was 9-for-10 from the line and ended up with 19 points and eight boards to lead his team.

Junior guard James Kinney had 19 points as well and sophomore guard Keith Shamburger had 15 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

For the Hornets, Carbajal led all scorers with 24 points and he said confidence helped him hit shots.

“I just keep attacking,” Carbajal said. “Coach Katz just tells me not to be passive. I just keep attacking and going to the basket.”

Dickson came off the bench and had 15 points and six rebounds. Katz said having him come off the bench gives them “a little punch.”

Junior forward Joe Eberhard added 10 points and Garrity had his third double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 assists.

Garrity now averages 6.8 assists per game, which is sixth in Div. I basketball.

Sac State will continue its Big Sky play Thursday against Portland State University in a must-win game for the Hornets.

The game will also be senior night for senior center Josh McCarver and senior forward Heath Hoffman.

Tip-off is at 7:35 p.m. at The Nest.

Josh Stanley can be reached at [email protected].