NEWARK, N.J. – What a difference a year makes. A year removed from being picked sixth in the 2022-23 Northeast Conference (NEC) Preseason Poll, the Sacred Heart University women's basketball team was named the unanimous top choice in the 2023-24 poll, announced on Tuesday at the league's media day.
"Our team is honored to be picked first in the 2023-24 preseason poll," said Head Coach
Jessica Mannetti. "We are excited to compete in what we know will be an challenging conference season ahead, and look forward to the opportunity to give our best effort night in and night out on the floor."
Taking their sixth-place ranking to heart, the Pioneers shocked the league by winning the NEC Championship, the program's first in over a decade and its fourth overall. Sacred Heart was not done by any means, as it went on to defeat Southern, 57-47, in the NCAA Tournament First Four, which marked the first-ever NCAA Tournament win by an NEC women's basketball program.
After its historic campaign last season, Sacred Heart garnered due respect, as it was named the first unanimous preseason NEC favorite since former league mate Mount St. Mary's earned the honor in 2021.
The Pioneers bring back the bulk of their rotation from a season ago, as their top-six minutes earners from last season all returned. Leading the way are 2023-24 Preseason All-NEC honorees
Ny'Ceara Pryor and
Sajada Bonner.
Pryor, last season's NEC Player, Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year, led the NEC in points (17.8), assists (4.3) and steals per game (3.7). Her 3.7 steals per game and 122 steals overall led the nation. In addition to sweeping the three major NEC awards, Pryor also garnered recognition from the MBWA, MET, WER and ECAC.
Bonner also made an immediate impact for the Pioneers in her first season with the program, making the All-NEC Second Team. The Cliffwood, N.J., native finished the year as SHU's second-leading scoring with 10.7 points per game while leading the team with 60 3-pointers made.
The Pios will kick off the 2023-24 campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 7, with a 6 p.m. road bout against the University of Rhode Island.
2023-24 NEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Sacred Heart (unanimous)
2. Merrimack
3. Wagner
4. FDU
5. Stonehill
6. LIU
7. Saint Francis U
8. Le Moyne
9. CCSU
2023-24 Preseason All-NEC Women's Basketball Team
Sajada Bonner, SHU, Gr, G, Cliffwood, NJ/St. John Vianney (Quinnipiac)
Jayme DeCesare, MC, Gr, G, Johnston, RI/La Salle Academy
Belle Lanpher, CCSU, Sr, G, Princeton, MA/Wachusett Regional
Ny'Ceara Pryor, SHU, So, G, Baltimore, MD/Western
Kaylee Thomas, MC, Gr, G, North Chelmsford, MA/Central Catholic
