FAIRFIELD, Conn.— After two straight road wins, the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team returns home on Sunday, February 2 at 2:00 pm, hosting Manhattan in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action.   

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OPENING TIP

• Sacred Heart and Manhattan meet for the second time on Sunday as the Pioneers return home after their Western New York trip. 
• SHU is coming off two straight road victories, 93-84 over Canisius and 86-77 over Niagara. 
• Manhattan is coming off a home win over Iona on Friday, 76-55. 
• In the Pios victory over Niagara, Mekhi Conner scored a career-high 18 points, leading four players in double figures. Nyle Ralph-Beyer (16), Anquan Hill (15), and Tanner Thomas (12).
• Mekhi Conner brought in four awards for his performances over the weekend. MAAC Player and Rookie, MBWA DI, and Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors. He averaged 14 points and 12.5 assists per game. 
• Three Pioneers are averaging double figures: Thomas (15.5), Amiri Stewart (12.0), and Hill (11.6). 
• Bryce Johnson leads the team in rebounds with 6.0 per game, followed by Thomas (5.5) and Hill (4.7). 
• Conner is tied for 31st in the nation with 116 assists this season and is tied for 27th in assists per game with 5.8. 
• 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

• First-year Mekhi Conner scored a career-high 18 points and nine assists to lead SHU to an 86-77 victory over Niagara last Saturday.
• Nyle Ralph-Beyer (16), Anquan Hill (15), and Tanner Thomas (12) all scored in double figures in the win.
• Sacred Heart shot 55.6% (30-54) from the field and had 11 three-pointers in the win. SHU also held the advantage in rebounds, 32-28.
• Conner's shooting was nearly perfect as he went 6-for-7 from the field and 5-for-6 from the free throw line. He was one assist away from a second straight points and assists double-double. 
• Ralph-Beyer also had an impressive outing for SHU, shooting 71% (5-for-7) from the field and 4-for-6 from behind the arc.

ABOUT MANHATTAN     

• Manhattan is 10-9 overall and 5-5 in MAAC play, currently tied for fifth place in the conference.
• The Jaspers are coming off a 76-55 win over Iona at home.
• Five players are averaging double figures, led by Will Sydnor with 15.5 ppg. Devin Dinkins (12.5), Shaquil Bender (11.5), Wesley Robinson (11.1), and Masiah Gilyard (10.4).