Sac State gaining confidence heading into matchup with Eastern

The Sacramento State Hornets were off to a slow start at 1-4 in conference play, but thanks to three straight wins, find themselves all alone in fourth place. As Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee writes, it is a season that has turned around after last game's 110-point explosion against Northern Arizona.

Sacramento State has lost seven in a row at Reese Court by an average margin of 17 points, but this is a different team. The Hornets have a group of seniors lead by Joseth Dawson, who was named this week's Big Sky Player of the Week thanks to his 30-point effort on Saturday. Dawson earned 14 of those at the free throw line alone. For more on Dawson's weekend, check out the recent press release from the Hornets Web site.

"We've got to be disciplined on defense and not bail him out. If he hits a jumper with a hand in his face, then he hits it. But we can't foul him and send him to the line," said Eastern's head coach Ray Giacoletti. "They're really athletic and they're really going to get out and try and pressure us. So we have to do a good job of spacing and running our motion offense which gives us a chance to get things going to the basket," said Giacoletti.

These two home games could be crucial to the Eagles hopes of hosting the Big Sky Conference Tournament in March. If they win both games, they would almost be assured of home court for the tournament. But once again, that is "if" they win both games. The Hornets on Thursday with their three-game winning streak and Northern Arizona on Saturday, a team that is unbeaten in conference play on the road.