SACRAMENTO — Sacramento State’s men’s basketball team kicked off the season in style, securing a commanding 103-79 victory over Dominican University on Tuesday night. This matchup marked the first game under new head coach Mike Bibby, a former Sacramento Kings star who took the reins back in March. Bibby has reshaped the team with an entirely new roster, featuring 14 players fresh to the Hornets.
The evening also celebrated the debut of the Hornet Pavilion, a brand new venue located within The WELL, an on-campus fitness facility. Previously, Sacramento State had competed at The Nest for 66 years, temporarily using Memorial Auditorium in the late 90s.
The Hornets put on an impressive performance, outscoring Dominican 62-40 in the second half. They boasted a shooting accuracy of 51% from the field, including 48% from beyond the arc, and a stellar 83% from the free throw line. Sacramento State showcased a well-rounded attack with 19 assists on their 33 made baskets, scoring 40 points in the paint and contributing significantly from their bench, which accounted for 43 points.
Five players reached double figures in scoring, led by two standout performances at 21 points each from players, who also contributed 9 rebounds and 3 assists, respectively. Other notable contributions came from those who tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds, and 11 points with 7 rebounds. The team was efficient; Johnson, for example, shot 6-for-9 from the field, while Teat made 21 points on just 10 attempts.
The Hornets’ performance was especially remarkable given their status as one of only eight programs nationwide with no returning players from the previous season. Notably, they improved their record to 52-0 against non-Div. I opponents, further solidifying their dominance in early-season matchups.
Looking ahead, Sacramento State is set to face Jessup this Friday at 7 p.m., continuing their season-opening homestand, which concludes on November 11 against UC Santa Barbara. Following that, they will take on Causeway rival UC Davis on November 14.
This promising start indicates a bright future for the Hornets as they look to build momentum and assert themselves in the competitive collegiate basketball landscape under Bibby’s leadership.