Kuhns, Kritscher set Big Sky records in win over Weber State

Seniors+Megan+Kritscher+and+Kylie+Kuhns+set+Big+Sky+Conference+records+in+single+season+blocks+and+career+rebounds+respectively+during+their+63-57+win+at+Weber+State+on+Thursday.%C2%A0%0A

Seniors Megan Kritscher and Kylie Kuhns set Big Sky Conference records in single season blocks and career rebounds respectively during their 63-57 win at Weber State on Thursday. 

State Hornet Staff

Seniors Kylie Kuhns and Megan Kritscher will never forget their final trip to Weber State.

They will remember it not because it was their last conference road trip of the season or because Sacramento State won its most games since 1992, but because their names will forever be remembered in the Big Sky Conference record books.

With the Hornets’ 63-57 win against the Wildcats Thursday, Kuhns set the conference’s career rebounding record with 1,178 rebounds, passing Idaho State’s Natalie Doma and her 1,174 rebounds from 2004-08.

“Kylie has worked really hard for this record and at her size, most people would think it is a really tall order to be the leading rebounder at only 6 feet tall,” said Sac State head coach Jamie Craighead. “This conference has really been dominated by big post players and how much blood and sweat went into every rebound is evident.”

Kuhns has already set Sac State records as its leader in rebounds and steals, but she said she has never felt any pressure.

“This was something I was looking forward to and something I knew I could get,” said Kuhns, who finished with 21 points and 20 rebounds against Weber State. “Now I don’t have to think about the record for the rest of the season.”

But Kuhns was not the only Hornet breaking records as Kritscher finished the game with five blocks to set the single season record for blocks. This season she has 101 and currently ranks second in the nation with 3.84 blocks per game.

“Meg worked really hard in the offseason and I’m really proud of her,” Craighead said. “She has really been the anchor of our half-court defense and she allows us to do things on the perimeter knowing that she is a force inside.”

Kritscher transferred from UC Santa Barbara in 2010 and since coming to Sac State she has consistently improved her offensive production as she averages 6.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

“(Santa Barbara) was just not a good fit for me and I really like how we play here,” Kritscher said. “I like the freedom everybody has and I like how we don’t set up every time down the court.”

Kritscher, who finished the game with 13 points and four rebounds, looks to her next opponent as the Hornets travel to Idaho State on Saturday, seeking redemption from their last meeting, which the Bengals won 62-52 on Jan 17.

Currently, Idaho State and Sac State are tied for third place and both teams have qualified for the Big Sky Conference Tournament.

“For the rest of the season, every game is important and we are preparing for that conference tournament,” Craighead said. “It’s a tough place to play. Idaho State is a very good basketball team and we just go in and give ourself a chance to win.”

Tipoff is at 1 p.m.

Ryan can be reached on Twitter at @rskuhn