LORETTO, Pa.— Strong first and fourth quarters on Monday propelled the Sacred Heart University women's basketball team to its fourth-straight victory to start Northeast Conference play. The Pioneers went on the road to take down Saint Francis, 73-60.
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 7-9, 4-0 NEC
Saint Francis: 3-14, 2-3 NEC
 
Top Performers:
Ny'Ceara Pryor: 22 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts, 5 stls
Sajada Bonner: 17 pts, 5-8 3pt line, 4 rebs, 3 stls
Sierra Johnson: 16 pts
 
Of Note
Sacred Heart jumped out to its largest lead of 41-29 at halftime.
 
The hosts got out to a 13-7 lead midway through the first quarter, but the Pioneers ended the opening frame on a 19-4 run. SHU held the Red Flash to just 9-of-18 from the field in the opening 30 minutes, including 2-of-7 in the second quarter.
 
Saint Francis cut the score to seven at the start of the fourth quarter, 52-45. SHU worked it back up with Sajada Bonner's basket at the 4:13 mark pushing it to 11 and it wouldn't fall below double digits the rest of the game.
 
The Pioneers' defense turned the tide in the game as the visitors forced 23 turnovers, including a season-high 16 steals, which converted into 26 points.
 
Bonner was one of three Pioneers in double digits as she scored eight of her 17 points in the fourth quarter.  Rookie Ny'Ceara Pryor posted her seventh 20-point performance, with 15 of her 22 coming in the first half. Fellow first year Sierra Johnson notched her first double-figure scoring performance with 16 points.
 
Up Next
Sacred Heart returns home to host Merrimack on Thursday at 7 p.m.