FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's basketball team (13-16, 9-9 NEC) avenged its earlier season loss to Fairleigh Dickinson (15-14, 7-11 NEC) knocking off the Knights, 61-43, Saturday afternoon at the Pitt Center on Senior Day. The victory solidifies the Pioneers as the fourth seed for the 2018 Northeast Conference Women's Basketball Tournament.

How it happened…

The Knights connected first working up an early 4-0 advantage in the game's opening minutes. The visitors' lead lasted a little over two minutes before a layup by Candice Leatherwood put the Pioneers ahead and gave them a lead their opponent failed to take back.

SHU expanded its lead to 18, the largest of the afternoon, capped on the backend of Tykera Carter free throws at 1:38 of the third quarter.

The numbers…

Leatherwood and Katherine Haines each contributed a game-high 18 points. Leatherwood grabbed nine boards, handed out two assists and earned a steal.

Haines was an 83.3-percent free-throw shooter and registered three blocks.

Carter recorded 12 points in her final time competing at the Pitt Center, while also crediting six boards, a team-high three assists, and two steals.

Noteworthy…

• The Pioneers will play Bryant Wednesday as the respective four and five seeds. The match's tournament site is still pending.
• If Saint Francis U defeats Wagner, the Red Flash and Robert Morris' seeding will be determined by the NCAA RPI.

Up next…

The Pioneers will start action at the NEC Tournament on Wednesday. Site and time to be announced.