FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University women's basketball team continues non-conference play on Saturday, Dec. 2, with a road clash against Bryant at 2 p.m. at the Bulldogs' Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield, R.I.

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OPENING TIP

• The Pioneers and Bulldogs have played 38 times throughout the two teams' histories.
• SHU leads the all-time series with a 23-15 record against Bryant, winning eight of the last 10 games.
• Sacred Heart last played on Wednesday, dropping an overtime thriller against crosstown rival Fairfield at the Pitt Center.
• The lead in Wednesday's game swung back and forth multiple times in the fourth quarter before the Stags tied the game with five seconds left to force OT.
• Fairfield outscored SHU 9-4 in the extra period to steal a road win.
• SHU did much of its damage at the free throw line, hitting 21-of-24 attempts (87.5%).The Pios made 11 more free throws than the Stags.  
• Ny'Ceara Pryor led the way for the Pioneers with 26 points against the Stags, one shy of tying her career high. The outstanding sophomore also added seven rebounds, three assists and five steals to her stellar stat line.
• Nalyce Dudley also showcased her talent against Fairfield, finishing second on the team with a season-best 16 points. She also needed one more rebound to tally her second double-double of the year.

ON THE LINE
The Pioneers took full advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line, hitting a season-best 21 against the Stags Wednesday. SHU went an impressive 21-for-24 at the stripe for a season-best 87.5% clip. Pryor led the charge by going a perfect 10-for-10, one shy of a career high for the outstanding sophomore. Pryor has been excellent at getting free throws all season, as she ranks fourth in the country in attempts with 52 and is ninth with 42 made free throws. Nalyce Dudley also did an excellent job of getting to the line, hitting 6-of-8.

EXTRA MOTIVATION
Something about playing crosstown rival Fairfield must motivate Pryor, as she finished with a career day against Fairfield. The Baltimore, Md., native ended the game one point shy of tying her career-high with 26. Pryor's career-best scoring output is 27 points, which came in SHU's win at Fairfield last season. In two career games against the Stags, Pryor has averaged 26.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 5.0 steals per game. The Pioneers have split the two contests against Fairfield over the last two seasons, winning last year 69-58 and falling this season in overtime.  

BREAKOUT GAME 
Against the Stags, Dudley posted another standout performance with a season-high 16 points and nine rebounds. The first year forward played 38 minutes in the overtime bout, crossing double-digits in scoring for the second time in her young career. The Norwich, Conn., native also finished one rebound shy of her second career double-double. She tallied 10 points and 12 boards in SHU's win over Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. 

SCOUTING BRYANT
The Bulldogs own a 3-5 overall record through the first eight games of the season, following a 58-53 loss to Brown in their most recent game on Wednesday. The most recent loss was Bryant's first at home this season, as it owns home wins over Dartmouth and Central Connecticut State. The Bulldogs have received contributions from all age groups, as their two leading scorers are a senior and a first year. Mariona Planes Fortuny, a senior center, is averaging a team-best 14.8 points per game while shooting 51.6% from the field. Mia Mancini, a first year guard, is second on the team with 13.6 points per game. Mancini has done most of her damage from behind the arc, as she is fourth in the country with 64 3-point attempts and is sixth with 26 made treys.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. THE BULLDOGS
The all-time series between the Pios and Bulldogs began in 1980-81 and features 38 games. SHU leads the series 23-15, winning eight of the last 10 meetings. The Pioneers are 10-8 in games played in Smithfield, R.I., winning three of the last four at the Chace Athletic Center.