Sac State wins on the road

Sacramento State went on the road to Central Arkansas and topped the Southland Conference member 71-68, coming back from a 10-point halftime deficit.

Konner Veteto posted a double-double of 19 points and 14 boards, Mikh McKinney totaled 14 points plus Dylan Garrity contributed eight rebounds, seven points and four assists.

The Hornets won the rebounding battle 39-22.

Bryan Metcalf has a game report.

Watch out for the Hornet backcourt

Bryan Metcalf highlights the play of Mikh McKinney and his complementary style vis-a-vis Dylan Garrity.

Sac State tops Utah on the road

Sacramento State went into Salt Lake City and nabbed a 74-71 victory over the Pac-12 dwelling Utes. Four Hornets were again in double figures: Dylan Garrity with 19 points plus five assists, John Dickson enjoyed 16, Mikh McKinney totaled 13 and Joe Eberhard had 10 points.

Bryan Metcalf reports.

Sacramento State Head Coach Brian Katz:

On beating a Pac-12 team to get their third win

"[Utah] is a good team. We approach every game the same. Our goals are real simple, we have three goals: One, we want to get better every day. Two, we want to win the next game on the schedule. Three, we want to have more fun than any team in the country. I tell my guys that we're not going to have fun if we don't do number one and number two." 

On the second half rally

"We have five seniors that really have a lot of resolve and that are really committed to each other. They've been through a lot. Last year we made a little rally at the end of the year and won five in a row. Our seniors just made a pact that we are going to win this year. I think our kids have just worked too hard to give up." 

On importance of having a variety of players step up

"In the past we had trouble scoring, we only had one or two that could score. I feel like we have probably a legitimate six guys that can really score. It's harder to guard when you've got to guard five guys at once."

Sac State romps

Sacramento State had no trouble with UC Merced on Friday, winning 96-62 as John (Fairfield High) Dickson just missed a double-double with 18 points and nine boards in just 18 minutes of play. Konner (Placer High) Veteto went for 17 and eight in his 21 minutes of court time. Backcourt newcomer Mikh (Ohlone JC) McKinney contributed 13 points in his initial outing.

Bryan Metcalf has the game report.

McKinney and Berry noted

Jonathan Reed's post about selections for Top Newcomer by the Big Sky Prospectus, Mikh McKinney gets the nod for Sacramento State and Davion Berry for Weber State.

Nor Cal talents in the Big Sky Conference

Jonathan Reed was a participant in the recent conference call of Big Sky coaches and these Nor Cal-related tidbits appeared in his post:

"...When asked about Collin Chiverton, he [Eastern Washington Coach Jim Hayford] said he is a lot healthier, and that he is looking for more consistency from him. He said when Chiverton is good, he is really good, and when he is bad, he is really bad. More consistency will help the whole team..."

"...He [Montana Coach Wayne Tinkle] talked about the decision for Will Cherry not to have surgery, and said it was the safer route for his future. He will be getting the cast off this week, and they are hoping he can return by early December..."

"...He [Sacramento State Coach Brian Katz] said that three guys have really shown they can step up and be contributors off the bench, and they are Mikh McKinney, Cody Demps..."

Mikhael McKinney lands scholarship to Sacramento State

Former Washington High (Fremont) star backcourter and current Ohlone College talent Mikhael McKinney is moving on to Sacramento State, a member of the Big Sky Conference. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.