Caudill’s Three-Pointer Stings Hornets

Thursday, January 7

Sacramento, CA

7 p.m.

Montana State University

10-4, 3-0BSC

Sacramento State

4-9, 1-1BSC

Montana State

Sacramento State

Sophomore Hannah Caudill

Photo by: Sepp Jannotta

1/7/2016 10:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Montana State sophomore Hannah Caudill connected on a wide-open three-pointer with 6.7-seconds remaining to lift the Bobcats to an 80-79 win over Sacramento State, Thursday night in The Nest.

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State sophomore Hannah Caudill connected on a wide-open three-pointer with 6.7-seconds remaining to lift the Bobcats to an 80-79 win over Sacramento State, Thursday night in The Nest.

The Spokane product went four-of-four from beyond the three-point arc finishing with 14 points, while distributing six assists. In all, five Bobcats scored in double-figures led by Jasmine Hommes 19, Peyton Ferris 14, Riley Nordgaard 11 and Alexa Dawkins 10.

"We told the kids at halftime we weathered the storm as Sacramento State was shooting the three ball very well," said MSU 11^th year head coach Tricia Binford. "We were hoping they'd cool off in the second half, and if we kept them out of the paint and defended well we would have a chance at the end."

Montana State (10-4, 3-0) trailed Sacramento State (4-9, 1-1) 46-43 at intermission as the Hornets connected on eight-of-19 from long distance.

The game featured 17 lead changes and eight ties as the Bobcats took a 63-61 advantage into the final stanza. MSU built its largest lead at 73-66 following a pair of free throws by Peyton Ferris with 5:28 remaining.

Sacramento State answered with an 8-0 run to retake the lead with 2:45 left. The two teams traded baskets with the Hornets owning a 79-77 advantage at the 1:15 mark on a Kyhonta Doughty layup.

Following Caudill's triple, Sacramento State's Brianna Burgos went coast-to-coast, but the MSU defense collapsed under the basket and the layup caromed back into Hommes' hands.

"We showed a lot of poise and character in the second half," Binford said. "We let the kids play and we got out of their way.

"It's also nice to have such a great bench," Binford said. "We had a lot of players contribute, and with our depth, we were able to keep fresh legs against a team like Sacramento State that is hard to guard."

MSU finished shooting 55 percent from the field, while holding the Hornets to 40 percent. The Bobcats also won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Hornets 38-32

Sacramento State was paced by Adella Randle-El with 29 points.

MSU plays at Portland State on Saturday afternoon.