FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team will play its third straight home game to open Northeast Conference play as the Pioneers will take on Saint Francis University on Thursday, January 4, at 11:00 am in the William H. Pitt Center.  
 
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RECORDS: 
SHU 6-9
Saint Francis: 5-7
 
LAST TIME OUT:

• Sacred Heart won its second consecutive home game against Mercy, 92-63, on December 30. 
• All five starters scored in double figures. Alex Sobel tallied his third double-double this season with 16 points and a SHU career-high 17 rebounds. He was also the team leader in assists (6) and blocks (4). 
• Aidan Carpenter scored a career-high 19 points. 
• Nico Galette recorded his 11th game in double figures with 16 points. 
• Kyle McGee had his third straight double-figure game with 11 points.
• Brendan McGuire matched his career-high with 11 points, also adding five rebounds. 

OPENING TIP:

• Sacred Heart and Saint Francis open up Northeast Conference play on Thursday and will meet for the 43rd time in series history. 
• Last season against SFU, each team won on its home court. SHU is 18-24 all-time against SFU. 
• Sacred Heart is coming off a 92-62 home victory over Mercy on December 30 for its second consecutive victory. All five starters scored in double figures. 
• Three Pioneers are averaging in double figures: Nico Galette (14.2), Alex Sobel (11.5), and Tanner Thomas (10.8). Sobel leads the team in rebounds (7.6), and Galette is second with 6.3 rpg.
• Sobel is fourth in the nation in blocks with 37 (as of 1/3) and is ninth in blocks per game with 2.47. 
• Galette and Thomas have brought in NEC Player of the Week awards for the Pioneers this season. Sobel has been a Prime Performer three times. 
• Galette, Reilly, and Kyle McGee were voted captains of the 2023-24 squad.  
• SHU was selected first in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. Galette and Reilly were selected to the All-NEC preseason team. Galette and Reilly earned All-NEC first and third-team honors last season.