Sacramento State University Athletics issued the following announcement on Nov 25.
Five Sacramento State players scored in double figures, led by Christian Terrell's double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) as the Hornets cruised to a 101-57 win over Bethesda in the season opener Wednesday night at the Nest.
The Hornets have now won three straight season-opening games, and seven of their last 10. Tonight also marked the debut of four players in a Sacramento State uniform comprised of Christian Terrell, Samaad Hector, David Jones and Teiano Hardee. Both Jones and Hardee are true freshmen.
The Hornets were playing Bethesda, a non-Div. I opponent from Anaheim, for the first time during the regular season. In was a different kind of setting in the usually raucous Nest as fans were not allowed to be in attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions. However, that didn't stop Sacramento State from putting on a show.
After Bethesda opened the game with a 3-pointer, the Hornets immediately responded with an 8-0 run and never looked back. Sacramento State led by double figures the final 31 minutes of the game, and the 44-point margin of victory was also its largest lead of the contest. In addition, the 101 points marked the first time Sacramento State hit the century mark since beating Simpson, 104-71, on Nov. 12, 2007.
The Hornets shot 57% (37-65) from the field and 39% (10-26) from the 3-point line while scoring 54 points in the first half and 47 more in the second. Conversely, Bethesda shot just 36% (20-55) and Sacramento State held a massive 51-20 edge in the rebounding department. Eighteen of those boards came on the offensive glass resulting in 24 second chance points. Of the Hornets' 101 points, 50 came in the paint.
Terrell, who redshirted a season ago after transferring from UC Santa Barbara, finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals, a block and three impressive dunks. Bryce Fowler, the lone fourth-year senior on the team, had 16 points, five assists and five rebounds while Hardee added 16 points and five boards. Hardee was also fouled a team-high six times and converted 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
William FitzPatrick buried four of the Hornets' 10 3-balls and finished with 14 points and four assists. Hector rounded out the Hornets in double figures with 12 points and seven rebounds (four on the offensive glass).
Nine Sacramento State players scored at least five points, including Ethan Esposito (9 pts, 4-6 FG), Spencer Monteiro (7 pts, 2-2 FG, 3-4 FT), Jones (6 pts, 4 reb, 2 blk) and Elijah McCullough (5 pts, 3 ast, 3 reb).
The Hornets were playing without the services of Brandon Davis, Zach Chappell, Rick Barros III and Jalen Townsell because of injury. Barros will miss the season with a knee injury.
Sacramento State will be back in action on Thursday, Dec. 3, when the Hornets open Big Sky Conference play against Idaho. Tip-off at the Nest will be 5:05 p.m. The Hornets are playing a shortened season (25 games), and started the season two and a half weeks later than normal because of the pandemic.
As a reminder, no fans will be in attendance at home games for the foreseeable future. Free video streams are offered for all home games via Pluto.TV. In addition, all home games can be heard on the radio at ESPN 1320 AM. After a pair of home games against Idaho (Dec. 3 and 5) to open the Big Sky season, the Hornets will play four non-conference games before jumping back into league play after the New Year.
Original source can be found here.
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