Sac State Hosts Full House but Faces First Defeat
First-year coach Mike Bibby urged his team to fully commit after Tuesday’s loss at Hornet Pavilion. Small details like boxing out for rebounds, making extra passes, and converting free throws remain a source of frustration for Bibby.
Game Overview
The Sacramento State men’s basketball team showed grit in a tough matchup against one of their strongest opponents to date. UC Santa Barbara edged out Sac State 92-87, marking the Hornets' first loss after starting 2-0 and the debut setback for Bibby as a collegiate head coach.
Fan Support and Atmosphere
A crowd of 2,743 spectators packed Hornet Pavilion for the third straight game, enjoying an exciting contest that could have gone the other way if a few moments had swung in Sac State's favor.
Season Start and Performance
- Sac State began the season with victories over Division II Dominican University of the Bay Area (103-79) and Jessup University of Placer County (86-76).
- These wins marked the start of a new era for Hornets basketball before facing a strong Gauchos team, a member of the Big West Conference that Sac State will join next season.
Game Stats and Analysis
The Hornets shot a solid 52% from the field, but were outrebounded by three, a deficit that felt more substantial according to Bibby and the players. UC Santa Barbara excelled from beyond the arc, hitting 13 of 27 three-pointers compared to Sac State’s 10 of 21.
“It’s the little things that irk me in this sport. Boxing out, extra passes, free throws—those are crucial,” said Mike Bibby on the team's ongoing lapses.
The contest highlighted the Hornets’ potential alongside areas needing improvement as they prepare to compete at the conference level next season.
Author’s Summary: Sac State’s passionate effort in front of a packed home crowd fell just short, with Coach Bibby emphasizing the need for sharper execution on fundamentals moving forward.