CAROLINA, Puerto Rico – The Sacred Heart University women's basketball battled tough against VCU on Friday at the 2023 Discover Puerto Rico Classic but fell by a 76-62 final score at the Coliseo Guillermo Angulo in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The Pioneers saw its four-game, non-conference win streak come to a close with tonight's setback.

Records:
Sacred Heart: 4-2
VCU: 5-1
 
Top Performers:
Ny'Ceara Pryor: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
Sajada Bonner: 12 points, 2 rebounds
Afia Owusu-Mensah: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2-for-2 3PT FG
 
How It Happened:
The opening quarter featured back-and-forth action from both teams, starting with SHU scoring the game's first five points on a Sajada Bonner 3-pointer and a Sierra Johnson layup. Sacred Heart went up as much as four in the quarter, 9-5, before both teams started to trade the lead. The Pioneers left the first trailing by three, 20-17. 

The Rams controlled the action in the second quarter, taking the frame 18-7. Sacred Heart's stanza was highlighted by a steal and layup from Amelia Wood with 37 seconds left. After falling in the quarter, the Pios went into the halftime break down 38-24. 

SHU came out of the break with new energy, starting with a 6-0 run by Ny'Ceara Pryor that began the Pioneers' comeback effort. A 9-0 run two minutes later further helped Sacred Heart cut the margin, as it trailed by seven, 46-39, with 4:47 left in the frame. Sajada Bonner hit two treys in a row to start the run before Pryor sank one from the wing to cap the sharpshooting stretch.

Wood got into the mix in the final 2:15 as she put together a 5-0 run herself. The sophomore guard cashed in on an and-one opportunity and made a layup to bring the Pios within six, 50-44. The Pioneers remained down by six, 54-48, following an Afia Owusu-Mensah and a Pryor free throw ended the quarter. 

Unfortunately for Sacred Heart, six straight points by VCU to start the fourth widened the margin to 12, 60-48, which the Pioneers could not answer. SHU got as close as 10, 64-54, by the end of the game but ultimately fell by a 76-62 final score. 

Pryor led the way for Sacred Heart with a season-high 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a trademark well-rounded showing. Bonner and Owusu-Mensah also crossed double-figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Owusu-Mensah's 11 points is a season-best for the junior.

Up Next:
Sacred Heart will bring a close to the 2023 Discover Puerto Rico Classic tomorrow evening when it plays the University of Central Florida. Opening tipoff for SHU's final game at the event is slated for 6:30 PM AST/5:30 PM EST.