SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Marcus Graves scored 12 points with 11 assists and 10 rebounds and Sacramento State beat NAIA Simpson 76-52 in the Hornets' season opener on Friday night.
Graves' triple double was the first in the history of the program. Ethan Esposito led Sacramento State in scoring with 20 on 7-of-9 shooting.
The Red Hawks proved feisty early and Blake Trent hit a 3-pointer to bring Simpson within 16-15 with 10:57 left before halftime. Sacramento State gradually pulled away when Esposito hit a 3-pointer, Calvin Martin made a layup and Esposito added a free throw and the Hornets were up 34-21 with 1:42 left before halftime.
Sacramento State turned it up offensively in the second half shooting 18 of 34 (53 percent) from the field and Simpson went cold converting just eight field goals. The Hornets turned 21 Simpson turnovers into 29 points.
Trent led Simpson with 17 points and Jon Manjon scored 14 points with nine rebounds.
