FAIRFIELD, CONN- The Sacred Heart University women's basketball team ring in the New Year as it hosts its conference opener at the Pitt Center on Thursday, December, 31. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. on NEC Front Row with Randy Brochu and Tykera Carter on the call. 

OPENING TIP
• Sacred Heart opens conference play against Bryant. The Pioneers lead the series against the Bulldogs, 20-13.
• The Pioneers were supposed to open up play at LIU on Dec. 29, but was canceled due to COVID protocols within the Sharks program. In accordance to the NEC forfeit cancellation policy, Sacred Heart received a win from the contest.
• Last season, Sacred Heart swept the two-game series against Bryant in Smithfield, winning both contests, 64-40, and, 58-44.
• Adrianne Hagood posted double-digit scoring performances in both contests with 18 and 12. Nikki Johnson had 10 points in game one while Carly Stroemel notched 12 in game two.
• Sacred Heart was picked fourth in the preseason poll after finishing the 2020-21 season in fifth at 8-8. The Pioneers were one spot shy of making the NEC tournament.
• The Pioneers currently lead the NEC and are 14th nationally in fewest turnovers (117). Sonia Smith is second in the league in scoring with 14.1 points per game while Olivia Tucker ranks third in three-point field goals made with 13.