After an eight-year absence, Sacramento State’s trip to the Big Sky Tournament was short-lived, losing to the University of North Dakota in the final three minutes of its quarterfinal contest Thursday afternoon.

The Hornets led 72-71 with 3:32 left in the game, but missed five out of their last six shots and turned the ball over four times. 

They lost 79-76 in front of a sprinkling of Big Sky fans who showed up for the opening game of the tournament. 

“It came down to the last play or two. Tip your hat to North Dakota, they played a little better,” said head coach Brian Katz. 

Sac State had a chance to send the game into overtime, but junior guard Mikh McKinney missed a 3-point shot from the top of the key with six seconds left. He finished with a game-high 24 points and 7 assists.

The Hornets started the game by jumping out a slim lead, but North Dakota responded with a 12-0 run that was highlighted by junior guard Cole Staffan’s 3-pointer with 11:39 remaining in the first half. 

Hornets’ sophomore guard Cody Demps scored the next consecutive seven points to bring his team within a basket, and junior point guard Dylan Garrity hit the second of his four perimeter shots to regain the lead. Sac State entered halftime with a 42-39 lead.

In the second half, that featured seven lead changes and four ties, the Hornets had the opportunity to extend a four-point lead with 7:43 remaining, but North Dakota responded with back-to-back jump shots by Troy Huff and Josh Schuler. 

After North Dakota moved ahead by two points with a minute to go, Sac State had three opportunities to either tie or take the lead from getting offense rebounds, but the possession ended with Demps turning the ball over.

“We had a bunch of chances, but we didn’t capitalize on them,” McKinney said. “Our guys hustled for the ball, got the offensive rebounds and got us good shots, we just didn’t knock them down.”

Sac State ended the season 14-16 and with a 10-3 record at home, but Garrity wanted to win this for the seniors.

“We know we will be back here, but we feel for seniors,” Garrity said, finishing with 18 points and 4-4 from 3-point range. “They are our best friends and we hang out every single day.”

The Hornets return next season with all five starters coming back and a schedule that features trips to Gonzaga, Seattle University, UC Irvine and the Big Sky’s newest member the University of Idaho.

Ryan can be reached on Twitter at @rskuhn