SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a frantic final minute, Prophet Johnson scored 27 points and Mikey Williams added 23 to lead Sacramento State to an 83-80 victory over Montana State in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball thriller on Thursday night at Colberg Court.

The Hornets, who led for nearly the entire contest, saw a 10-point second-half advantage evaporate in the closing moments before securing the win at the free-throw line in the final seconds. The victory improved Sacramento State to 7-13 overall, while Montana State fell to 13-9.

The game’s decisive sequence began with the Hornets clinging to an 80-77 lead. Montana State’s Jed Miller, who led all scorers with 25 points, missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining. Sacramento State’s Jahni Summers secured the defensive rebound and was fouled, converting one free throw to extend the lead to four.

On the ensuing possession, Montana State’s Christian King, who finished with 23 points, was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 19 seconds left. He made the first two free throws but missed the third, leaving the Bobcats down 81-80. After a scramble for the offensive rebound, the ball went out of bounds, and possession was awarded to Sacramento State.

The Hornets’ Mikey Williams was immediately fouled and sank both free throws with 10 seconds left to push the lead back to three. Montana State had one final chance, but Miller’s heavily contested 3-point attempt from the top of the key as time expired missed off the rim, sealing the win for the home team before a crowd of 2,826.

The frantic finish capped a game where Sacramento State’s efficiency and interior dominance ultimately outweighed Montana State’s persistence and offensive rebounding. The Hornets shot 56.1% from the field, fueled by 40 points in the paint, and capitalized on transition opportunities with 24 fast-break points. Montana State, by contrast, shot 40.6% but kept itself in the game by hitting 15 3-pointers and grabbing 14 offensive rebounds, which led to 18 second-chance points.

Sacramento State built its foundation in the first half, shooting 60% from the field to take a 45-38 lead into halftime. Johnson and Williams combined for 30 points in the opening period, while Mark Lavrenov provided a critical interior presence, finishing with 17 points, two blocks, and several key defensive rebounds.

Montana State chipped away throughout the second half, primarily through the efforts of Miller and King. A 3-pointer from Miller with 1:11 remaining cut the deficit to 77-75, and after a defensive stop, his another deep three with 28 seconds left brought the Bobcats to within a single point at 80-79, setting the stage for the dramatic final possessions.

Beyond the leading scorers, Sacramento State received timely contributions from Arman Madi, who scored nine points, blocked two shots, and had four steals. Lavrenov’s defensive work and nine rebounds were pivotal in limiting Montana State’s opportunities inside. For the Bobcats, Jeremiah Davis added 10 points, and Seth Amunrud scored nine off the bench.

The win was a significant result against the pregame expectations, as statistical models heavily favored Montana State. The Hornets’ ability to control the tempo, protect the ball with only 11 turnovers, and execute in the half-court offense proved decisive. Montana State’s offensive rating of 112.6 points per 100 possessions was strong, but it was surpassed by Sacramento State’s mark of 115.8.

Sacramento State looks to build on the momentum when it hosts Montana on Saturday. Montana State, which saw a three-game winning streak snapped, continues its road trip at Portland State on Saturday.