Sac State wins thriller in OT behind Rocklin-raised freshman, determined Mike Bibby
Most of the game was an arduous uphill climb for the shorthanded Sacramento State Hornets on Saturday night, and then it really ramped up.
Behind the gritty efforts of senior playmaker Prophet Johnson, who competed through exhaustion in scoring 30 points, and the relentless inside work by true freshman Mark Lavrenov of Rocklin High School in Placer County with a 17-point, 17-rebound production, Sac State scratched, clawed and squeezed out a 93-89 victory over Northern Colorado in front of near-full crowd of 2,596 fans in a Big Sky Conference contest.
But don’t try and convince Mike Bibby that this was a joyous night. This was an emotional and physical meat grinder of a contest, though the first-year Hornets mentor was all grins afterward. The man looked equal parts relieved and spent, coaching up a storm as he and his staff encouraged their troops to will their way to victory when all the odds seemed stacked against them. Injuries reduced Sac State to eight healthy bodies coming in, and Sac State trailed by 18 with 12 minutes to go.
But the Hornets muscled past the bigger Bears with Lavrenov holding his own against bigger and older players, leaned on the suddenly hot Johnson, made free throws down the stretch and improved to 6-11 and 2-3 in conference play with all six victories coming at home.
“It wasn’t fun at all,” a relieved Bibby said postgame with a laugh. “It’s going to cost me my hair, and it’s going to be all gray hair soon.”
In truth, the spirited rally and the joy shared by players and coaches afterward was every bit a thrill — and it’s exactly what Bibby signed up for as the former Sacramento Kings star guard hits the midway point of the campaign. Bibby told his group after the game that he was proud of their effort and that the message of hanging in there, keeping faith and playing for each other can indeed reap nice rewards.
Sac State has gone from a seven-game losing streak, all on the road, to a nice two-win home stand with games at Idaho on Thursday and at Eastern Washington on Saturday before a four game-home stand.
Fresh off of a season-high 29-point scoring outburst to lead Sac State past Northern Arizona 83-69 on Thursday, Johnson went for 30 against Northern Colorado. The 6-foot-3 Ohio native scored inside and out, and he was the lead point guard in crunch time. He willed the Hornets to victory, savoring the chance to seize control.
Johnsion’s jumper in the lane pushed Sac State ahead 85-82 in overtime, then he hit a runner in the lane with 24 seconds to play for an 89-85 lead. Jahni Summers and Arman Madi each made two free throws down the stretch to salt it away in giving the Hornets their most memorable victory of the season.
“We work for this moment every day,” Johnson said. “That’s what the grind is. I’ve got confidence in myself. I felt like I needed the ball in my hands. I wanted it to be on me.”
Said Bibby of Johnson, “He’s a tough kid, and I love the fight in him.”
The coach also loves the fight in Lavrenov, a natural forward at 6-foot-8, but The Sacramento Bee’s 2024-25 high school Player of the Year has had to play a lot of center in place of the hobbled 6-11 Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry. Cherry has been sidelined with a knee strain since November.
Lavrenov went toe-to-toe with Northern Colorado’s big men, and Bibby instructed his guys to look for their inspired first-year player in the post late in the second half and in overtime. Lavrenov’s 17 rebounds are tied for the third most in a single game in Sac State’s NCAA Division I era, which started 35 years ago.
“Mark’s doing a great job,” Bibby said. “He’s playing out of position, but he’s doing a great job at the 5 position (in the post). And tonight, he showed hot tough he is, and that’s one of the reasons I really like him. He gives us all toughness. And he plays hard.”
Lavrenov said there is no magic to his game. Just grit with some skill.
“Just work hard,” he said of his game. “No matter how big you are, no matter how strong you are, hard work always wins. And if you have heart, and you have toughness, then you can (make an impact).”