FAIRFIELD, Conn.— The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team will travel to Albany, N.Y., to take on Siena on Thursday, January 16, at 7:00 pm in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action.  

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OPENING TIP

• Sacred Heart and Siena meet for the first time on Thursday, in the team's Division I era, but they met eight times during their Division II days in the 60s and 70s.
• Both teams are coming off two straight MAAC losses. For the Pios, both games, Merrimack (65-64) and Mount St. Mary's (73-71), were decided in the final seconds of play or as time expired. 
• Tanner Thomas led SHU with a season-high 25 points against The Mount. Three other players scored in double figures: Griffin Barrouk (15), Bryce Johnson (12), and Amiri Stewart (10). 
• Amiri Stewart is 44th in the NCAA DI in steals per game at 2.08 (as of 1/14) and Mekhi Conner is tied for 45th in the country in assists with 83 total and is 49th in assists per game with 5.2
• Three Pioneers are averaging double figures: Thomas (14.7), Stewart (11.7), and Anquan Hill (11.6). 
• Bryce Johnson leads the team in rebounds with 6.3 per game, followed by Thomas (5.2) and Hill (5.0). 
• Conner is the team leader in assists (5.2) & Stewart (2.1) in steals.
• Thomas was named to the All-MAAC preseason third team. 
• This year is Sacred Heart's first season as a full-time member of the MAAC.
• The Pioneers have 10 new players on the team. 
• Head Coach Anthony Latina is in his 12th season as head coach and 20th year overall with the Pioneers. 

LAST TIME OUT

• Taner Thomas scored a season-high 25 points, leading four Pioneers in double figures as Sacred Heart fell at the buzzer to Mount St. Mary's on Sunday.
• SHU went on an 18-0 run, including 16 points to start the second half, came from behind, and took a 48-41 lead.
• Thomas shot 50% (9-for-18) from the field and behind the arc (5-for-10).
• With the game tied 71-71, Mount St. Mary's had the final possession to hit a buzzer-beater and take the game.

ABOUT SIENA  

• So far this season, Siena is 7-9 and 2-3 in MAAC play. The Saints have lost the last two conference games, Iona (74-73) and Quinnipiac (72-53).
• Siena has three players averaging double figures: Justice Shoats (14.9), Major Freeman (14.6), and Brendan Coyle (11.2).
• The Saints' offense is sixth in the MAAC at 69.3.
• Freeman was named to the MAAC Preseason Second Team and Siena was selected ninth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll.