After a road trip through Arizona and Colorado, the Hornets returned home for a war against the Idaho Vandals on Thursday.
In the first half, junior guard Natalie Picton led the charge, opening the game up on offense with several mid-range shots to build an early lead against the Vandals.
Despite Picton’s dominance, the Vandals stayed alive via second chance opportunities, relying heavily on their offensive rebounding.
In the first half alone, the Vandals grabbed 31 rebounds including 14 on the offensive glass, nearly doubling the Hornets’ 16.
“We didn’t get a stop tonight,” head coach Aaron Kallhoff said.
Throughout the game, Kallhoff voiced his frustration about Idaho’s presence in the paint and disappointment with his team as a whole.
When sophomore guard Rubi Gray walked toward the bench after being subbed out, Kallhoff said, “I want you guys to get a rebound. I’m not just talking to you, I’m talking to the whole team.”
With a defeated tone in his voice, Kallhoff further expressed disappointment in the outcome against the Vandals.
“I don’t have bright spots,” Kallhoff said. “Bright spots are when you come out and win the game. I’m not into moral victories.”
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Despite the 55-62 loss, Sac State’s guards contributed heavily to shrinking the deficit to just five points late in the game.
Coming off of a red-hot start, Picton finished with 18 points, a result she said helped her state of mind.
“I was in my head the past couple of games. I wasn’t shooting the ball like I was today,” Picton said. “I think I did a good job with that. We just had to keep coming.”
While she caught fire early, it wasn’t until the second half where her backcourt partner, redshirt senior guard Benthe Versteeg, ignited for a historic night.
Versteeg tied her season high with 26 points and became the 19th Hornet to reach 1,000 career points, doubling her first half points within the first two minutes of the third quarter.
“I’ve always dreamed about having an accomplishment like that. I didn’t know it was possible,” Versteeg said.
Versteeg credited her team for the achievement , saying she couldn’t have done it without them.
“Everybody wants me to be successful and I want them to be successful,” Versteeg said.
Versteeg, who shot 0-3 from beyond the arc to open the game, said she was hesitant about shooting but her teammates encouraged her to believe in herself.
“It gives me so much confidence, I want to thank my team and God who gave me the strength to reach 1,000.”
Despite history being made, the team still looks ahead to their match against Eastern Washington on Saturday, Jan. 24.
“We’re going toe-to-toe,” Kallhoff said. “This league’s wide open.”
Picton also mentioned the quick turnaround, saying the loss will help ensure the Hornets’ best brand of basketball delivers against Eastern Washington.
“We have to stay positive and keep our team going,” Picton said.
