Sac State's Hopes To Host Big Sky Tourney Dashed
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (CBS13/ AP) - Only seconds after getting a similar shot blocked, Kris Yanku drove for a runner and banked it off the glass from four feet out with four seconds remaining, lifting Northern Arizona to a 70-68 victory over Sacramento State in a battle with Big Sky Conference tourney implications on Saturday.
The loss cost Sacramento State a second-straight chance to claim the top seed outright, but the Hornets (19-10, 13-5) could have still hosted the tournament if Montana (13-4) and Eastern Washington (13-4) if both lost later Saturday. However, both won.
With Montana and Eastern Washington's win, Sac State falls to the number 3 seed in the Big Sky Conference tourney.
Northern Arizona joins the crowd atop the Sky at 18-13, 13-5.
Yanku's winner was contested by at least two Sac State players. Ako Kaluna knotted the contest at 68 with two free throws with two minutes to play.
Mikh McKinney (19 points), who had scored Sacramento State's previous 12 points, missed a jumper with 1:19 left and a 3-point try at the buzzer.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.