LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Sacred Heart University women's basketball team kept the first half close against the third-ranked Saints of Siena, but the home team used a strong third quarter to secure a 66-51 win in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on Saturday evening.
Ny'Ceara Pryor led the way for SHU with 24 points, her ninth 20-point game of the season. The outstanding junior added three rebounds, two assists and six steals for an impressive stat line.
Nalyce Dudley was next on the team with 11 points, while
Amelia Wood contributed eight points and seven rebounds.
Records:
Sacred Heart: 6-17, 2-12 MAAC
Siena: 14-10, 11-4 MAAC
Leaders:
Ny'Ceara Pryor: 24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 6 steals
Amelia Wood: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals
Of Note:
Siena opened tonight's game by scoring the first four points before SHU answered with the next eight. Pryor started the Pios' run with a three-point play and ended it with a steal and layup at 7:18. Wood also got in on the action with a triple from the left wing to the excitement of her family and friends in the crowd.
The Saints battled back to build a 13-8 advantage, but the Pioneers were ready with another run. SHU scored 12 of the final 13 points in the first to take a 20-14 lead into the second. Pryor and Dudley highlighted the five-plus minute run with four points each.
Unfortunately for the Pios, the second quarter was a defensive struggle. Sacred Heart finished the frame with four points on a pair of made baskets. Siena took the second, 13-4, to go into halftime ahead 27-24.
The Pioneers opened the third with a bucket to trim the deficit to 27-26, but the Saints answered with eight straight to take a 35-26 lead. SHU the put together a 6-1 run by 3:45 to get within four, 36-32, but an 11-2 surge by the home team to end the quarter set the margin at 47-34 heading into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was an even battle, as Siena took the period 19-17. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the damage was already done, as the Saints used the fourth to put the finishing touches on a 66-51 victory.
Up Next:
Sacred Heart returns to the Pitt Center on Thursday, Feb. 20, to play Merrimack at 7 p.m.
