Sacramento State just misses first Big Sky tournament final with loss to Montana State
Sacramento State’s stirring Big Sky Conference Tournament showing as the 10th and lowest seed with an eight-man rotation, four of them freshmen, came to an end against a program accustomed to this stage Tuesday night in Boise, Idaho.
Robert Ford scored 19 points to lead all players while the Hornets missed half of their free throws and a game-tying 3-pointer late, allowing No. 5-seeded Montana State to hold on 74-71 in a semifinal, denying the Hornets their first title game appearance since joining the league in 1996.
The Bobcats advanced to the conference final for the fourth consecutive season, having won the last two championships while earning automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament.
Sacramento State on Sunday became the first No. 10 seed to beat the top seed in the history of the Big Sky Tournament. The Hornets split with Montana State in regular-season play, leading to extra optimism for the upstart program.
Junior guard Austin Patterson led the Hornets with 16 points, the final two on a baseline layup with 19.2 seconds left to cut Montana State’s lead to 72-71. A steal attempt on the ensuing inbound pass and a scramble for the ball resulted in a Sacramento State foul. Jed Miller’s two free throws pushed Montana State ahead 74-71 with 13.6 seconds left to cap the scoring.
Zee Hamoda’s corner 3 to tie missed with three seconds to go as the Hornets ran out of time and good fortune. The Hornets missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 32 seconds left with a chance to tie it at 71. The team made 6 of 12 free throws on the night.
With 10 new players under second-year coach David Patrick, including five transfers and five freshmen, Sacramento State finished the season 10-23 and 4-14 in the Big Sky. The Hornets lost 13 conference games by single digits and went 0-15 when allowing 70 or more points.
The Hornets entered the semifinals having won four of their previous five games, including twice over regular-season champion Eastern Washington. The second time was Sunday’s upset in the Big Sky tournament.
Patterson will return next season in the backcourt for the Hornets along with freshman guard Emil Skytta, who had 12 points. Hamoda, a 6-foot-7 junior guard who scored 11 points, will also return, as will 7-foot freshman center Bowyn Beatty, who had 10 points and seven rebounds.
This story was originally published March 13, 2024 at 5:13 AM.