SAN FRANCISCO (AP) (December 3) Led by Anthony Flood's career-high 27 points, Sacramento State pulled ahead in the last 11 minutes Friday night and held on to win, 74-61 in the opening round of the Northwestern Mutual Classic at the University of San Francisco.

Flood scored 18 of his points in the second half, including 16 points when the Hornets went on 29-15 run to close out the game after the Bulldogs had led, 46-45 with 11 minutes and five seconds remaining. It was the only lead The Citadel would hold in the game since the opening basket.

Nineteen seconds later, Flood hit a jumper, and Sacramento State kept the Bulldogs (2-4) from creeping back into the game. The Hornets improved to 4-0 on the season.

Sacramento State's start is the best in school history since 1948-49. Flood also led Sacramento State with 11 rebounds. Rame Batta and Ricky Glenn each had 12 points for the school, which hit only 4-of-20 3-point shots.

Travis Cantrell, with 5-of-10 3-pointers, led The Citadel with 15 points, while Gregg Jones scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half. Jones had a game-high 13 rebounds before fouling out with 6:17 remaining in the game.

Except for the opening basket, the Hornets led throughout the first half. Only 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc kept the Bulldogs close, as they trailed, 31-26. Sacramento State managed just two 3-pointers on 10 chances.