Andrew A. Brown

In the hunt: TCU and South Carolina seek a berth in the Final Four

South Carolina’s storied past stands between TCU’s first appearance in the Final Four

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
March 29, 2026

The TCU Horned Frogs fell short in the Elite Eight last season and look to reach the Final Four for the first time against Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks.

Day Two: South Carolina applies the pressure, TCU drives to Elite Eight

Strong shooting lifts the Gamecocks while rebounding offsets TCU’s turnover woes

Jack Dann and Andrew A. Brown
March 28, 2026

After a thrilling day of Sweet 16 action, Texas Christian University and the University of South Carolina advance to the Elite Eight and Sacramento Regional Finals. The schools will face off for a place in the Final Four of this year’s March Madness.

Sacramento Madness: Women’s NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen preview

Golden 1 Center hosts high-profile players and coaches for March Madness

Chris D. Johnson, Jack Dann, and Andrew A. Brown
March 26, 2026

Part of Sweet the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight of the Women’s March Madness tournament will be hosted at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. LSU, South Carolina, UCLA, Duke, TCU, Virginia, Minnesota and Oklahoma will fight to stay in the tournament.

State Hornet Bracketology: Our March Madness picks

Champions, Final Four, Cinderellas and more

Jack Dann, Chris D. Johnson, Andrew A. Brown, and Alex Grado
March 17, 2026

We asked the Sports section to give us their March Madness Champions, Final Four predictions, and their favorite Cinderella teams ahead of this year’s NCAA March Madness Tournament.

Hornets head home: Seniors embrace the end

The Hornets faced a flurry of free throws to end Starch Madness

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
March 11, 2026

Fifth-seed Sacramento State failed to get the upset against the Idaho Vandals, closing their time in the Big Sky Conference and saying goodbye to unforgettable seniors.

Upset season: Hornets dancing leaves the Bengals prancing

‘The message all along was to band together for Boise’

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
March 9, 2026

Fifth seed Sacramento State women’s basketball upset fourth seed Idaho State in their first game of the Big Sky’s Starch Madness tournament.

Upset underway: Sac State sets up for Starch Madness

‘It feels good just to be able to shoot like that’

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
March 6, 2026

Sacramento State traveled to Idaho for their final regular season game, upsetting the No. 4-ranked Idaho State before Starch Madness.

Heartbreaking split: Hornets go 1-1 in final home stretch

Hornets hosted Montana and Montana State, saying farewell to the regular season and senior players

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
March 2, 2026

Sacramento State hosted Montana and Montana State for their final home stretch of the season and split.

Values and experience: First-year coach brings in both

With over 20 years of experience, Michael Floyd continues to turn over new leaves

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
February 28, 2026

Associate head coach Michael Floyd reflects on his extensive years in the world of coaching, taking a new opportunity with the Sacramento State women’s basketball team in his first year.

Breaking even: the Hornets split on the road to cut four-game losing streak

‘I just wish we had a better first quarter, it would have really been interesting’

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
February 25, 2026

The Sacramento State Hornets defeated the Eastern Washington Eagles 69-60 in their first win of the month and then faced the Idaho Vandals, where the Hornets lost 75-60.

Double trouble: Hornets lose back-to-back at home in fourth straight loss

The Hornets fell short, doubling their losing streak to four.

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
February 18, 2026

Sacramento State women’s basketball fell to the Northern Colorado Bears and the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, doubling their losing streak to four.

Monday night misery: Hornets catch up but can’t hold on

The Hornets hand Weber State their first win in conference play after two key disqualifications

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
February 4, 2026

The Sacramento State Hornets head to Utah to face Weber State and rally in the second quarter from a 16-point deficit. A pair of key Hornets fouled out late, swaying the tone of the game.

Streak shattered: Hornets’ big three combine for 52 to tame the Griz

The Hornets split their trip to Montana, moving to 11-11 and 5-4 in the Big Sky

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
February 2, 2026

The Sacramento State Hornets visit the Montana Grizzlies and end their four-game winning streak, leaving their record at 11-11 and 5-4 in Big Sky Conference play.

Hunted: Bobcats pounce on the Hornets early in blowout loss

Sac State’s season-worst shooting night leads to a sluggish finish

Andrew A. Brown, Sports Staffer
January 30, 2026

Sacramento State loses by more than double their final score against first-seeded Montana State, to drop to 4-4 in the Big Sky.

Hornets fly high on the glass to surpass the Eagles in Big Sky win

The Hornets jump to 10-10 and 4-3 in the conference after the return of a long-missed starter

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
January 27, 2026

Sacramento State defeats Eastern Washington University in the Hornet Pavilion with scoring leaders sophomore guard Rubi Gray and junior guard Natalie Picton scoring 19 and 18, respectively.

Vandalized: History made on a heartbreaking night

Despite a bleak defeat at home, Benthe Versteeg makes history.

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
January 23, 2026

The Sacramento State Hornets fell short against the Idaho Vandals in the Hornet Pavilion while redshirt senior guard Benthe Versteeg reached 1,000 career points.

Sting Operation: Hornets axe the Lumberjacks to win three straight games

All three starting guards led the team to a quick rout in Arizona

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
January 16, 2026

The Sacramento State Hornets defeat the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 78-59 with sophomore guard Rubi Gray tying her career-high 26 points in the win.

Divide and conquer: Hornets outmuscle the Vikings in statement win

Sacramento State advances to 2-1 in the Big Sky after beating Portland State at home

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
January 14, 2026

Sacramento State routs Portland State in statement win that pulls the Hornets up to a 2-1 record in the Big Sky.

Double-digit loss to double-double domination: the Hornets start 2026 1-1

The Hornets split first two games after the new year, starting their Big Sky season at 1-1

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
January 7, 2026

The Sacramento State Hornets fell short of climbing an insurmountable lead but re-entered the winning column with a meaningful win against Weber State days later.

Skewered: Hornets pierced by Spartans in final non-conference game

The Spartans charged their way to their second victory all season, dropping the Hornets to 6-7

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
December 26, 2025

The Sacramento State Hornets carried a 6-0 run that the San Jose State Spartans quickly answered back with their own 11-0 run.

Overdrawn: Hornets withdraw from Chase as Dons cash in late

The Hornets cut the Dons’ 19-point lead down late but failed to close out

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
December 19, 2025

Sacramento State visited the Chase Center and got within four points of coming back from a 19-point deficit against the University of San Francisco Dons.

Sac State returns Home-r, routs Simpson in large Marge-in of victory

The return to the Hornet Pavilion saw both the starters and the bench get involved in a dominant 60-point victory

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
December 16, 2025

Sacramento State intertwined team unity through a synthesized triumph over Simpson, dominating on both sides of the ball to break a four-game losing streak.

Hornets welcomed to the jungle by Tigers in fourth straight loss

The Hornets come up short of breaking their three-game losing streak, falling to 5-5

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
December 8, 2025

The Hornets fall to the University of the Pacific in fourth straight loss before an extended break.

Tight finish and a tough blowout: Hornets drop two at CBU

Sac State shows glimpses of success in back-to-back losses

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
December 1, 2025

The Hornets go 0-2 over the weekend, facing a heartbreaker to open the CBU Classic tournament.

Titanfall: Hornets pilot their way to 5-1 start

This is the Hornets’ strongest start since their March Madness campaign in 2023

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
November 23, 2025

The Hornets return to the Hornet Pavilion and clobber their future Big West rival, the Cal State Fullerton Titans.

Waves come crashing down as the Hornets come back from 11-point deficit

The Hornets pollute the Beach in come back win on the road

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
November 18, 2025

Sac State begins the season 4-1, riding the waves of back-to-back wins on the West coast.

Lost in their own wake: Hornets cast a gray shadow over San Diego in first road win

The Hornets secured their first win on the road against future Big West Conference rival UC San Diego

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
November 15, 2025

Hornets contort the Tritons for their first win on the road, with sophomore Rubi Gray leading on offense.

Claw and order: Hornets falter in first road game against the Golden Bears

After opening the season 2-0, the Hornets succumbed to the elements in Berkeley

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
November 11, 2025

For the first road game of the season, the Hornets tallied their first loss against Cal over the weekend.

Hornets take the Wolf Pack on a morning walk in 20-point victory

Sac State never dropped the lead to Mountain West opponent Nevada in dominating 20-point finish

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
November 9, 2025

The Hornets tip off the season 2-0 with dominant back-to-back wins in the opening homestand.

Elk Season: Sac State blows out Stanton in historic win

Sacramento State women’s basketball steals the show and makes history in the premiere of the Hornet Pavilion

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
November 5, 2025

The Sacramento State Hornets hunt down the Elk, setting a program record for margin of victory.

Roster reloaded: Sac State transfers and returners aim to reclaim history

After an offseason of changes, women’s basketball looks to mirror their latest Big Sky tournament run.

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
November 2, 2025

Transfers and returners unite to take Sac State women’s basketball to new heights in their final Big Sky season.

[Photo] BREAKING: Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion fined $10,000 by Big Sky Conference

Jack Dann, Sports Editor
October 29, 2025

Football head coach Brennan Marion was fined $10,000 by the Big Sky Conference Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The comments were made to CBS Sacramento and violated Big Sky’s Sportsmanship Policy. (Graphic...

GALLERY: Sacramento State basketball ends The Nest era with Hornet Madness

The event saw an excited and loud crowd for men’s and women’s basketball

Chris D. Johnson, Andrew A. Brown, and Logan Chrisp
October 13, 2025

Fans gathered to watch Hornet Madness at The Nest on Friday to build hype for the men’s and women’s basketball teams’ upcoming campaigns. The event also officially signaled the finale of Hornet basketball at the venue.

[Photo] Big Island to Big Sky: Koa Akui starts the season with a bang

Ava Fitzgerald, Sports Staffer
October 2, 2025

Junior safety Koa Akui celebrates his interception in Sac State’s loss to Nevada Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Akui has a total of 3 interceptions this season.

[Photo] Sac State starving for home cooking at start of three-game homestand

Cynsere Kelly, Staffer
September 12, 2025

Senior running back Jamar Curtis and senior running back Rodney Hammond, Jr. celebrate an early touchdown against Nevada Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Curtis and Hammond, Jr. led an improved Sac State rushing...

[Photo] Biggest Little Heartbreak: Hornets fall to Wolf Pack after a late pick six

Jack Dann, Sports Editor
September 7, 2025

Junior quarterback Cardell Williams evades Nevada defense for a scrambled first down Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Williams relieved redshirt sophomore quarterback Jaden Rashada after a head injury sidelined...

Putting the season behind them, men’s tennis looks ahead to a bright future

Despite an early exit in their conference tournament, the young core is ready for the future

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
May 8, 2025

Sacramento State men’s tennis falls to Montana in the Big Sky Tournament, but they’re looking ahead to a break and the upcoming season.

Championship ace in a familiar place: Hornets raise the trophy once again

Hornets mark back-to-back Big Sky rings and advance to NCAA Tournament

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
May 2, 2025

Sacramento State women’s tennis defeats Northern Arizona University to win the Big Sky Conference Championship and move on to the NCAA Tournament, where they’ll play the California Golden Bears.

Social media reacts to Sac State hiring Shaquille O’Neal as new voluntary general manager of men’s basketball

Heading into the 2025-26 season, men’s basketball is changing from bottom to top

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
April 28, 2025

Sacramento State men’s basketball hires Shaquille O’Neal as the new voluntary general manager of their men’s basketball program.

Sac State looks for second ring as they attempt to answer the call

The Hornets look to defend their throne after a dominant season

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
April 24, 2025

The Sacramento State women’s tennis team clinched the second seed in the Big Sky Conference and will face the Idaho Vandals in the upcoming tournament this weekend.

Sac State reloads, not rebuilds, in youth-driven title defense

Only one player from last year’s Big Sky Championship team returns, as the young squad tries to go back-to-back

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
April 23, 2025

Sacramento State Men’s tennis prepares to defend the Big Sky Conference title in their first-round matchup against the Montana Griz in Phoenix, Arizona.

Cross Court Chronicles: Quick wins, sweet sweeps

The Hornets flipped the Tritons from the 619 in the first of two sweeps in the 916

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
April 18, 2025

Sacramento State men’s and women’s tennis logged impressive 4-0 sweeps, with a new face in the doubles window for the men’s team.

Swarm Report: Hornet sports are in full spring, preview of baseball’s conference schedule, overview of men’s and women’s tennis

Mateo Davis, Logan Chrisp, and Andrew A. Brown
April 9, 2025

Mateo Davis is joined by Andrew Brown and Logan Chrisp to talk about the latest in Sac State spring sports. The trio gives a rundown of golf, beach volleyball and track and field and takes a dive into tennis and baseball.

Cross Court Chronicles: One streak extinguished while another blazes

Men’s tennis winning streak cut while women’s tennis tallies two

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
March 27, 2025

Sacramento State men’s tennis faced a sweep to end their streak while women’s tennis rose to five straight.

Cross Court Chronicles: Different Birds, Same Sweeps

Sac State tennis brings out the broomstick all day Saturday

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
March 20, 2025

Back-to-back games for Sac State women’s and men’s tennis results in two easy wins.

Cross Court Chronicles: Sac State delivers aces in handful of wins

Men’s tennis only dropped one game amid home stretch for both teams

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
March 13, 2025

Sacramento State men’s tennis only drops one in Golden State Invitational while women’s tennis rally 2-0.

Cross Court Chronicles: Women’s tennis falls back to Earth, men’s tennis plummets in winless weekend

Sac State women’s tennis’ historic streak comes to a close, while men’s tennis lost two on the road

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
March 6, 2025

After historic start to the season, Sacramento State women’s tennis drops home games while Sacramento State men’s squander two away.

Cross Court Chronicles: Tennis tallies wins home and away amid the center of the season

Women’s tennis wins seventh straight, men’s tennis dominates singles in home victory

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
February 28, 2025

Sacramento State women’s tennis builds on winning streak in the bay, while men’s tennis takes home a win over Saint Mary’s.

Cross Court Chronicles: Sac State women’s tennis makes history while men’s tennis falters

Sac State’s women’s tennis on historic run, men’s team goes 1-1 at home

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
February 20, 2025

Sacramento State Women’s Tennis have yet to drop a game, while Sacramento State Men’s Tennis went 1-1 during their home stretch following three straight road games.

Students have difficulty adjusting to the ongoing construction at The WELL

Students face changes with the closure of the Gym Box

Andrew A. Brown, Staffer
February 13, 2025

The closing of The WELL’s Gym Box has left students adjusting to a limited schedule to play their favorite sports. Sacramento State President Luke Wood said in a tweet that The WELL will be the new home for the school’s basketball teams and more.