BROOKLYN, N.Y -- Tremendous defense in the second quarter led the Sacred Heart University women's basketball team to victory on Thursday. The Pioneers went on a road to record a 70-58 Northeast Conference victory over LIU at the Steinberg Wellness Center.
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 9-10, 6-1 NEC
LIU: 2-18, 0-8 NEC
 
Top Performers
Kelsey Wood: 17 pts, 11 rebs
Ny'Ceara Pryor: 16 pts, 5 rebs, 7 assists
Sierra Johnson: 12 pts, 5 rebs
 
Of Note
After a close opening frame, Sacred Heart put the game away with a masterful defensive performance in the second quarter. The Sharks were held to 1-of-11 (9.09%) from the field as the Pioneers outscored the hosts 16-2 for a 34-21 halftime advantage.
 
The lead grew to as many as 21 when in the third quarter when Olivia Tucker buried a three-pointer – part of her 10 points – at the 3:33 mark. LIU worked the lead down to seven, 63-56, with 3:24 remaining the game, but Tucker stepped up and canned another three-pointer.
 
Sacred Heart outscored LIU 48-16 in the paint, including all 16 points in the second quarter, and 22-8 on the fast break. In addition, SHU registered 20 points on a season-high 23 offensive rebounds.
 
Junior Kelsey Wood recorded her first double-double of the season and the fifth of her career, matching her career-high of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Her sister first-year Amelia Wood finished with a season-high 10 rebounds.
 
The elder Wood was one of four Pioneers in double figures. Ny'Ceara Pryor added 16 points – she has scored double digits in all 19 games this year – while Sierra Johnson tossed in a dozen for her fourth-straight game of 10 or more points.

Up Next
Sacred Heart hosts Stonehill for National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday at 2 p.m.