Patrick's Sacramento State Fall in Big Sky Semi-Final
IslandStats.com
In a game that literally could have gone either way, Montana State outlasted David Patrick’s Sacramento State, 74 - 71, in the Big Sky Conference Tournament Semi-Final at the Idaho Central Arena.
The victory allows Montana State to advance to the Big Sky Championship game while Sacramento State sees its season come to a close. Sacramento State advanced to just their fourth Big Sky Tournament Semi-Final by virtue of defeating No. 9 seed Idaho in the First Round, and No. 1 seed Eastern Washington in the Quarter-Finals.
Tonight, Montana State did not trail in the second half, but Sacramento State had plenty of opportunities. Montana State never led by more than six points the final 8:18, and Sacramento State missed the front end of 1-and-1 free throw situations with a chance to tie at both the 3:56 and 32-second marks.
After an Alex Kovatchev put back with 1:35 remaining drew Sacramento State within, 71-69, it was a one-possession game the rest of the way. Sacramento State forced a miss on Montana State’s ensuing possession, but Sacramento State could not take advantage missing the front end with 32 seconds left.
Sacramento State was forced to foul with 27 seconds remaining, and Montana State's Robert Ford III buried both free throws. Sacramento State immediately answered three second later when Austin Patterson streaked to the rim for a layup and a 72-71 deficit with 19 seconds left. Once again, MSU made both free throws after being fouled with 13 second to play.
Trailing, 74-71, Sacramento State’s Zee Hamoda had a good look at a 3-pointer but his shot hit back iron, and the game essentially ended during a multi-player scrum for the rebound.
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Patrick's Sacramento State Advances in Big Sky Tournament
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David Patrick’s Sacramento State led for over 37 minutes of clock, and three players scored in double figures on the way to a 74-69 victory over top-seed Eastern Washington in the Big Sky Conference Tournament Quarter-Finals.
Sacramento State has been in control from start to finish of both tournament wins thus far, leading for a combined 72:26 of the clock during the victories. Tonight, Sacramento State led for 37:20 while posting season highs in free throws made (26) and attempted (33).
Sacramento State opened the game on a 17-7 run and never looked back. Eastern Washington kept things close throughout the second half, but Sacramento State held a two-possession advantage in the final 4:22 of the contest.
Both teams shot 40% (20-50) from the field, but Sacramento State converted on two more 3-pointers (38%, 8-21) and three more free throws (79%, 26-33). Sacramento State also held a 34-27 rebounding advantage and converted 11 offensive rebounds into 11 second-chance points. Sacramento State outscored Eastern Washington in both halves (35-32 in the 1st; and 39-37 in the 2nd).
Saturday, March 09, 2024
Patrick's Sacramento State Advances in Big Sky Tournament
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Behind the strength of career nights from Akol Mawein and Bailey Nunn, David Patrick’s Sacramento State led for 35 minutes of the game clock and eventually defeated Idaho, 72-64, in the first round of the Big Sky Conference Tournament at Idaho Central Arena.
With the victory, Sacramento State, who have won three of their last four games, will advance to the tournament quarterfinal round tomorrow vs. Eastern Washington. Sacramento State has now won its first-round Big Sky Tourney game seven times in the last 10 years.
In tonight's game, Mawein was remarkable, finishing with a career-high 25 points on 7-10 FG, 2-3 3FG, 9-11 FT, which included 12 points in the first half and 13 more in the second. He eclipsed his previous career best by eight points, and the 25 points are tied for fifth most ever scored by a Sacramento State player at the Big Sky Tournament. That included going 7-for-8 from the free throw line over the final four minutes to help ice the victory.
Tuesday, March 05, 2024
Patrick's Sacramento State Fall to Eastern Washington
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Despite tying a program record with 18 3-pointers, David Patrick’s Sacramento State saw Eastern Washington close the final 2:10 on a 7-0 run to win, 91-88, at The Nest.
Tonight marked the regular season finale for both teams, as Sacramento State will now turn its attention to the Big Sky Conference Tournament later this week in Boise, Idaho.
In tonight's contest, Sacramento State went 18-for-31 (58%) from the 3-point line, the most Sacramento State 3-balls ever made against a Div. I team. The program had previously buried 18 3-pointers on two occasions, including earlier this season against Pacific Union, and 1987 vs. Cal State Hayward during the Div. II era.
All eight Sacramento State players in tonight's game buried at least one 3-pointer as the team made nine in both the first and second halves. In a very entertaining game that saw the two teams combine for 46 assists on 65 made buckets, no team led by double figures the entire way. There were nine lead changes, and five ties, as Sacramento State led for 19:28 of game clock. Fittingly, the game was tied at half (48-48) after Alex Kovatchev buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Late second half, after an Emil Skytta 3-pointer gave Sacramento State an 88-84 lead with 2:37 to play, Eastern Washington responded by closing the game on a 7-0 run. On its final four possessions, Sacramento State missed three shots and committed a turnover. Sacramento State had a great look to tie at the top of the key with two seconds left, but Zee Hamoda's 3-pointer hit back heal.
Monday, March 04, 2024
Patrick's Sacramento State Defeat Portland State
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Four of David Patrick’s Sacramento State players scored at least 14 points, and they limited Portland State to 32% shooting on the way to a 73-61 victory at The Nest.
Sacramento State's defense limited Portland State to 20 first-half points - Portland State's lowest-scoring half of the season. Portland State started the game with five turnovers and 1-for-9 shooting, but Sacramento State led just 7-5 at the 11:49 mark. However, Sacramento State would then make nine of its next 12 shots to pull away. Portland State did not make a field goal in the final seven minutes of the half and Sacramento State led, 34-20, at halftime.
Sacramento State was never threatened in the second half, leading by double figures the entire way. That included a 22-point lead with 7:40 to play. Portland State shot just 32% (21-65) from the field and 17% (4-24) from the 3-point line. Conversely, Sacramento State shot 50% (24-48) and 39% (9-23) from deep. Sacramento State also had 17 fast break points with the help of 16 Portland State turnovers.
Playing without the services of leading scorer Duncan Powell (injury), Sacramento State had huge contributions from four players - Jacob Holt (15 pts, 8 reb, 4 blk, +19 plus/minus), Austin Patterson (15 pts, 7 reb, 2 stl), Zee Hamoda (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) and Bailey Nunn (14 pts, 3 reb, 8 ast). Holt was 5-for-6 from both the field and the free throw line, and Sacramento State increased their lead every time he was in the game.