Returning from an extensive road trip around the Golden State, the Hornets landed back in the capitol and reminded everyone why they call it home.
Their soon-to-be Big West Conference rivals, the Cal State Fullerton Titans, were welcomed with hostility as the Hornets snagged the lead from the opening tip and never looked back.
The Hornets built their early lead on the back of redshirt senior guard Benthe Versteeg, who constantly drove to the rim, baiting the defense to close in on her and opening her teammates up for quick passes beyond the arc.
Junior guard Natalie Picton was a top target of Versteeg’s drive and kick strategy, finding her and sophomore guard Rubi Gray for seamless threes.
“I like the way they’re trying,” head coach Aaron Kallhoff said. “It’s really encouraging.”
The threes kept falling for Gray, who scored 26 points on 10 of 19 field goal attempts throughout the contest. She found early success beyond the arc, raining open and contested threes over the flustered Titans.
She also found space in the paint, blending a mix of long-range and close-up plays that contributed to a 20-point lead that the Hornets held throughout the contest.
Halfway through the third quarter, Kallhoff was fired up, exchanging a passionate high five with Gray as she passed the sideline.
Regarding her 26-point performance in her second game of the season where she scored more than 20, Gray said the extra hours in the gym paid off.
“It’s a testament to the work I put in,” Gray said.
Kallhoff shared more about the work that Gray dedicates to the team, saying she asked him to help her put more time into practicing her shot.
“She’s always getting in the gym,” Kallhoff said. “I want her to feel comfortable that she can let it fly.”
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While the Hornets casted a gray shadow over the Titans on offense, senior forward Fatoumata Jaiteh stole the show on defense.
As Jaiteh guarded the paint, she extended her arms low and wide, waiting for the right time to pounce on the ball like a serpent on its prey.
“We like playing to our strength, and for me, that’s my defensive intensity,” Jaiteh said. “It’s my bread and butter.”
Jaiteh tallied seven steals that night, tying the program record for most steals in a single game since 2017.
“She got seven steals tonight, coming off five the other day,” Kallhoff said. “That’s 12 steals in two games. It’s really encouraging.”
The game’s Iron Hornet belt belonged to junior forward Keanna Salave’a, who came off the bench and tallied nine points, six rebounds and four assists.
Keanna didn’t just play, she dominated every inch of the court. The definition of an Iron Hornet performance ️ #StingersUp pic.twitter.com/fcXtE39Ys7
— Sac State WBB (@SacStateWBB) November 22, 2025
The Hornets kept the Titans in the dust for the whole contest through their ability to maintain their high two-way intensity throughout the latter half of the game.
After a loose ball headed out of bounds in the fourth, several Sac State players dove to keep the drive alive, leaping and reaching beyond the barriers of the hardwood to get the ball to the next open teammate.
Towards the end of the fourth quarter, Versteeg fouled out, leaving a vacancy at one of the team’s vital positions.
A two-sport athlete who played soccer earlier in the year, redshirt freshman guard Jaety Mandaquit stepped in.
“We [were] looking for a complementary guard to step up,” Kallhoff said.
Kallhoff mentioned that his mantra is “all gas, no brakes” and tries to get his team to treat every possession like the game is locked into overtime with seconds to go. This mentality has been a driving factor for their 5-1 record and the 78-58 rout against the Titans.
The last time the Hornets started 5-1 wasn’t in the distant past either. Just like this season, the March Madness campaign in 2023 began 5-1 with games against both Long Beach State and Cal State Fullerton.
Sac State will see future Big West neighbor and long-time Causeway Classic rival UC Davis in the Hornet Pavilion on Monday at 6:30 p.m.
“We’re gonna have to have good defense in the post, and we’re gonna have to guard the 3-point line,” Kallhoff said. “I’m excited.”
