FAIRFIELD, Conn.— The Sacred Heart men's basketball team fell to Merrimack, 67-55, in Northeast Conference action at home on Saturday afternoon. Bryce Johnson recorded his 10th double-double of the season to lead the Pioneers.

Records:
Sacred Heart: 14-15, 7-7 NEC
Merrimack: 13-16, 10-4 NEC

Top Performers:
Bryce Johnson: 11 points, 11 rebounds
Joey Reilly: 11 points

Of Note:
Merrimack led from the start, going up by nine, 15-6, through the opening seven minutes of play. The Pioneers were able to pull within one, thanks to a 9-2 run starting with a layup by Raymond Espinal-Guzman at 8:45, capped by an and-one situation for Johnson to make it 24-23 at 4:39. Merrimack was able to extend its lead to six with 1:54 left before halftime but, Johnson answered with a layup to bring the Pioneers within four, 31-27 at 1:41. The Warriors hit a three-pointer to go up seven, 34-27 at halftime.

Reilly opened the second half with a quick trey to pull the Pioneers within four, 34-30, but Merrimack would go on a run to take its largest lead of the game, 50-30, at 14:33. A three-pointer by Mike Sixsmith cut the SHU deficit to nine with 3:30 left in the game and the Pioneers were able to get within seven at 2:46, but Merrimack secured its lead and took the 67-55 final.

Up Next:
Sacred Heart is back in action on Thursday, February 23rd, at home against St. Francis Brooklyn at 7 PM.