CAROLINA, Puerto Rico – The Sacred Heart University women's basketball team kicked off play at the 2023 Discover Puerto Rico Classic with a 73-42 win over the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Thursday evening at the Coliseo Guillermo Angulo in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Leading the way for the Pioneers were first years Emma Kirby (21 pts, 11 reb) and Nalyce Dudley (11 pts, 12 reb), who each finished with a double-double. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 4-1
UPRM: 0-3
 
Top Performers:
Emma Kirby: 21 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks
Nalyce Dudley: 10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists
Ny'Ceara Pryor: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
 
How It Happened:
After the Tarzans took a 4-2 lead in the first minute, the Pioneers' defense settled in and didn't allow another point for the rest of the quarter. On the other hand, SHU ended the frame on a 12-0 run to take a 14-4 advantage into the second. 

The Pioneers widened their lead to 20 by the 5:11 mark of the second quarter, scoring 13 of the first 16 points in the frame. The early run was highlighted by an Afia Owusu-Mensah 3-pointer, her first of the season. Nalyce Dudley also got in on the act with her first collegiate trey with 4:04 left in the half. Sacred Heart rode this momentum to a 32-13 lead at halftime. 

Despite facing some pressure from UPRM in the third quarter, the Pioneers were never really threatened, as the lead never got below 11. However, SHU rebuilt its advantage in the fourth, going up by as much as 33, 71-38, in the 73-42 victory. 

Kirby was outstanding in her 21 minutes off the bench tonight, as she finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds for her first collegiate double-double. The first year center went 7-for-11 from the floor and was 7-for-9 at the free throw line. The last Pioneer first year to record a 20-point double-double was Ny'Ceara Pryor, who did so twice last year. 

Not to be outdone, fellow first year Nalyce Dudley also had a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards, with five assists. Sacred Heart's final double-digit scorer was Pryor with 11. The sophomore guard added four rebounds, two assists and two steals in just 18 minutes. Pryor is the lone Pioneer to score 10+ points in every game this season.

Up Next:
The Pioneers will be back in action tomorrow to play VCU at 6:30 PM AST/5:30 PM EST.