Sac State bounced in Big Sky tournament opener to end season 0-17 away from home
In order for Sacramento State to rock the Big Sky Conference tournament bracket, the Hornets had to accomplish something they have not been able to do: win a game away from Hornet Pavilion.
It didn’t happen.
Seeded No. 8 in the 10-team event at the Idaho Central Arena, Sac State dropped a 68-45 setback to the No. 7 Idaho Vandals on Saturday night, ending an injury-plagued season for first-year coach Mike Bibby at 10-21.
The Hornets were cold, making just 14 of 55 shots (25.5%), including making just 3-of-17 3-pointers (17.6%) as the Hornets played all eight of their healthy players. The roster has been depleted with all sorts of ailments down the stretch of the season, including the team’s top player in junior 6-foot-11 forward Jeremiah Cherry and leading scorer in sophomore guard Mikey Williams.
Jahni Summers was the only Hornet to reach double-figures in scoring with 10 points. The team’s top healthy scorer, senior guard Prophet Johnson, scored 9 on 3-of-12 shooting. Arman Madi also scored 9 for Sac State, which dropped two close games in Big Sky play to Idaho.
Idaho improved to 18-14 and moved into Sunday’s second round of the tournament. Jackson Rasmussen scored 19 and Kolton Mitchell 17 for Idaho.
Though the Big Sky Conference Tournament is officially listed as a neutral-site game, Sac State finished 0-17 away from Hornet Pavilion, Sac State’s new on-campus venue that helped the school shatter attendance records.
Saturday marked the final Big Sky basketball event for the Hornets men’s program as they will start Big West Conference play next season.
The Sac State women open Big Sky Tournament play Monday against Idaho State.