Women’s basketball team drops fifth straight

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Christopher Bullock

In a game that proved to be full of excitement, the Sacramento State women’s basketball failed to avenge last season’s loss to Cal, losing 117-99 in the consolation game of the Four Points by Sheridan Cal Classic on Sunday.

Despite the loss, Sac State smashed the NCAA Division I record for 3-point attempts that they had set just last season (58), attempting 80 3-pointers in the loss. However, the Hornets only made 20 of those attempts.

Sac State coach Bunky Harkleroad was proud of his team’s performance despite the tough loss.

“Today was more about who we are,”Harkleroad said. “We played true to the system, and we didn’t stop trying.”

The first half of the game was an offensive display from both teams. Sac State made 14 3-pointers in the first half, but Cal was in control throughout the half, scoring 34 points a piece in the first and second quarters. Cal went into halftime carrying a 68-49 lead.

In the second half, Sac State started to come back to life, scoring 26 points in the third quarter. The Hornets outscored Cal 50-49 in the second half, but the first half deficit was too much to overcome.

Overall, Sac State was 37-of-112 from the field and had 45 points from the bench. Where Cal beat the Hornets, however, was in the paint. Cal scored 82 of its 117 points in the paint, and only attempted two 3-pointers the entire game.

Sac State sophomore guard Taylor Brown scored a career-high 17 points and was one of five Hornet players to score in double figures (Maranne Johnson, Adella Randle-El, Margaret Huntington and Brianna Burgos). Cal freshman guard Kristine Anigwe scored a game and career-high 43 points.

Sac State plays again next Sunday against UC Davis at 2 p.m.