Sacramento State’s women’s basketball junior starting forward Kylie Kuhns became the 10th player in school history to reach the 1,000-point milestone in a 64-56 lost to Eastern Washington University on Saturday at home.

Despite an 8-16 record, Kuhns has been averaging a double-double with 12 rebounds and 13.7 points per game in 24 games this season for the Hornets – she averaged 11.1 rebounds and 15.9 points per game last season.

Kuhns said she prides herself as being a tough rebounder rather than scorer since high school.

The Salem, Ore., native owns two rebounding records, a high school single-game state record for most rebounds in a game at 34 and a Sac State’s rebounding record at 23, tying the Big Sky Conference record.

In the 2010-11 season, Kuhns was ranked No. 1 in the Big Sky Conference and No. 12 in the NCAA in rebounds per game.

This season, Kuhns had a streak of 13 consecutive double-doubles that ended against Northern Colorado University on Jan. 7.

Kuhns, a 6-foot-tall forward, is an undersized player for her position. She was taught at a young age by her father, David Kuhns, how to operate in the low post.

“He was an undersized forward at 6 feet tall, but the willingness to attack the ball, be aggressive, work hard and do the little things were key,” Kuhns said.

With an NCAA-best 18 double-doubles this season, Kuhns said she is aware of it but does not try to put pressure on herself to perform at the level she is capable of playing.

Throughout the season, Kuhns said the support from her teammates has been key to her success when nearing a double-double for a game.

“If they know I need a rebound or point, they would tell me you can do it,” Kuhns said. “After every game, we always check if I got a double-double. If I did, they’re the first ones to congratulate me.”

Kuhns said practices this season compared with last year’s have been aggressive and competitive.

“Last year we had this stigma we’re a bad team, we didn’t want to go to practice, our coaches didn’t even want to go. It was a feeling like it wasn’t fun,” Kuhns said. “This year we obviously doubled our wins, but there is more of an excitement around it. We’re able to compete in each game and attempt to win, whereas last year we didn’t have that and it’s a much better feeling overall.”

Whether in scrimmaging or running 4-on-4 or 5-on-5 practice drills, everyone is coming ready to compete, Kuhns said.

Individual practices have been focused on shooting this year, which has helped her offensive rebounding, Kuhns said.

Sophomore forward Megan Kritscher said she enjoys the challenge of guarding Kuhns during practice because they both have very different styles.

Kritscher said Kuhns’ ability to face-up and drive to the basket using her quickness has helped her improve her overall defensive and offensive game.

“I am more of a back-to-the-basket post player,” Kritscher said. “She has helped improve my ability to step out and guard faster post players and box out.”

Kritscher said Kuhns’ leadership skills in being a motivator for her teammates has motivated her.

Freshman forward Megan Mullings said she has learned from Kuhns how to handle physical toughness differently.

“I’ve learned to take a hit, and not freak out. Play through the fouls, and be someone your team can always depend on for strength,” Mullings said.

Kuhns said no matter how the season ends, being a young team that will be losing one senior, Emily Christensen, has great potential next year.

Alle Moreno and Fantasia Hilliard have improved their game this year and Kuhns is excited to see which player will be better next season.

“I can see growth in our team’s development. We have shown signs in how good we can be,” Kuhns said. “The four-game winning streak we had early in the year proved that.”

Gabriel Pacheco can be reached at [email protected].