FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Relying on a heavy dose of defensive pressure, the Sacred Heart University women's basketball team won its Northeast Conference matchup Thursday against Central Connecticut State. The Pioneers won for the third time in four outings, taking down the Blue Devils 68-42.

Records:
Central Connecticut State: 2-5, 2-5 NEC
Sacred Heart: 4-5, 4-3 NEC

Top Performers:
Nikki Johnson (SHU): 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
Adrianne Hagood (SHU) 14 points, 
Kelsey Wood (SHU): 10 points, 13 rebounds

Up Next:
The series switches to New Britain when the two teams face off Saturday at 1 p.m.

Of Note:
Sacred Heart used strong defense in the second half to swing the game in their favor. The Pioneers limited the Blue Devils to 20 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes and outscored the visitors 20-11 in the third quarter on their way to victory.

The 26-point victory is SHU's largest margin of victory since besting Hofstra, 71-44, on November 10, 2019.

Both teams started off slow offensively but picked up the pace towards the end of the first quarter. Forward Carly Stroemel converted a three-point play to stake the Pioneers to a 14-6 lead with 2:14 left in the opening stanza.

In the second quarter, the Blue Devils whittled the lead down to 22-20 on a pair of Ashley Forker free throws with 2:39 remaining. SHU ended the opening half on an 8-2 run to go into the locker room up 30-22 on a Kelsey Wood layup. 

Sacred Heart limited CCSU to just one basket during a four-minute stretch in the third quarter to build a 43-27 margin on another Wood lay in. The lead grew to 20 (57-37) for the first time on a Stroemel free throw with four minutes left in the contest.

Pacing the SHU offense was Adrianne Hagood and Nikki Johnson as they both recorded 14 points. Johnson grabbed 10 rebounds to get her first collegiate double-double. Also getting their first double-double, but in 76 fewer games, was Wood as she produced 10 points and 13 rebounds. Stroemel notched a career-best 12 points.

The Pioneers limited Central Connecticut State to 25 percent shooting and 18 turnovers, which the hosts converted into 25 points. SHU also dominated the boards with a 53-38 rebounding margin.

Forker was the only Blue Devil in double figures with a team-best 11 points. Jamey Napoleon had nine rebounds and six points.