ESPN+ | Live Stats | Sacred Heart Game Notes

The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team competes in its final road contest of the regular season at Merrimack on Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN+

OPENING TIP

• The two teams met just four days prior to Saturday in Fairfield. Merrimack came out on top, 70-63, thanks to a 13-point halftime cushion. 
• The only win SHU took over Merrimack in the Division I era was at Merrimack last season. The Pioneers won, 68-62, on the backs of Tyler Thomas and Mike Sixsmith who combined for 39 points. 
• Sophomore Bryce Johnson averages a double-double over the last three games with 15 points and 10.7 rebounds. Last game against Wagner, Johnson was one rebound shy of his third-straight double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. 
• Sacred Heart looks to stay out of the 8-9 play-in game as they sit in a three-way tie with Saint Francis and Fairleigh Dickinson at 4-11. 
• The Pioneers are on a four-game losing streak, falling in eight of the last nine contests.

ICY BRYCE-Y
Bryce Johnson has been on a role for the Pioneers. Across the last three games, Johnson averages a double-double of 15 points and 10.7 rebounds. He had a career game at FDU when he notched career-bests in points (22), field goals made (8) and free throws made (5). Johnson also tied his season-best of 13 rebounds in his first 20-point performance of his career. Against the Knights, Johnson shot a nearly perfect 8-of-9 from the field and the 6-6 forward also added a three in the process. The California native followed up with his fourth double-double of the season against Merrimack with 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. 

FROM LONG DISTANCE
Like any outside shooting team, you can get hot, but then you get cold. The Pioneers are currently feeling the February winter as they've averaged just four three's and post a three-point shooting percentage of 17.6% across the last three games. Despite the cold shooting, SHU continues to lead the league at 208 made three's on the year.