Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University Pioneers
Taj Bryant
Josh Gee

Men's Basketball Returns to MAAC Action on Sunday at Home

SHU welcomes Canisius to the William H. Pitt Center

1/4/2025 11:57:00 AM

FAIRFIELD, Conn.— Following its 100-60 victory last Sunday, the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team returns to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action at home on Sunday, Jan. 5, at 2:00 pm. The Pioneers will play their second of three consecutive home games.

LIVE STATS | ESPN+ | GAME NOTES  

Opening Tip:

  • Sacred Heart and Canisius meet for the first time on Sunday as both teams return to MAAC play. 
  • The Pioneers will play their second of three straight home games as they jump back into conference play. Both teams just wrapped up three straight non-conf. games as SHU went 1-2, and the Golden Griffs went 0-3. 
  • Sacred Heart is coming off a 100-60 home victory over Manhattanville on Sunday. Nyle Ralph-Beyer had a career-high 20 pts, leading four players in double figures. The Pios scored 100 points for the first time this season and shot a season-best from the field, 60% (39-65), and from three-point range, 48% (13-27).
  • Ralph-Beyer was named this week's MAAC Rookie of the Week.   
  • As a team, SHU's three-point percentage, 38.73%, is ranked 25th nationally amongst Division I men's basketball teams. 
  • Three Pioneers are averaging double figures: Amiri Stewart (12.2), Anquan Hill (12.1), and Tanner Thomas (12.3)
  • Bryce Johnson leads the team in rebounds with 6.2 per game, followed by Ray Espinal-Guzman (4.5) and Hill (4.3). 
  • Mekhi Conner is the team leader in assists (4.7) & Stewart (2.2) in steals (tied for 40th in the nation)
  • 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:

  • Sacred Heart defeated Manhattanville on Sunday, 100-60, snapping a three-game skid.
  • Ralph-Beyer led four Pioneers in double figures with a career-high 20 points. He shot 8-for-12 from the field and 4-for-7 from behind the arc.
  • Anquan Hill added 18 points and tied his season-high in rebounds with seven, Griffin Barrouk shot 4-for-7 from three-point range, scoring a career-high 16 points, and Mekhi Conner had career-highs in points (16) and tied his career-high in assists (8).
  • Taj Bryant also had career-highs for the second consecutive game in points (8), rebounds (5), and assists (6). Lucius Gibson-Savadel brought down a career-high three rebounds and matched his career-high in points with two.

About the Golden Griffs:

  • Canisius is 0-13 on the season and 0-2 in MAAC play. The Golden Griffs were selected 12th in the preseason coaches' poll.  
  • Paul McMillan IV leads the team in scoring with 19.6 ppg, followed by Tana Kopa with 11.6 ppg. Cam Palesse is the team leader in rebounds with 5.2. 
  • Canisius opened MAAC play with a 60-52 loss to Merrimack, followed by a 66-53 loss to Siena.
Print Friendly Version