FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fresh off its Northeast Conference opening victory, the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team will travel to the defending conference champions, Merrimack on Saturday, January 6 at 3:00 pm. Both teams won their respective NEC openers on Thursday.
Live Stats |
NEC Front Row |
Game Notes
RECORDS:
SHU: 7-9, 1-0 NEC
Merrimack: 7-8, 1-0 NEC
LAST TIME OUT:
- Sacred Heart won its third straight game on Thursday in the NEC opener against Saint Francis, 79-67.
- Joey Reilly led three Pioneers in double figures against Saint Francis. Reilly matched his season-high 19 points for the third time this season.
- Nico Galette was second on the team in scoring with 18 points.
- Alex Sobel was third with 17 and led the team in rebounds with five. Sobel added four blocks while recording the 300th of his career.
- SHU opens conference play with a win for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
OPENING TIP:
- Sacred Heart and Merrimack meet for the first time since last season's NEC semifinal in North Andover. This is the 34th meeting between the two teams, dating back to 1967. SHU holds the series advantage, 21-12.
- Sacred Heart is riding a three-game win streak, including a 79-67 victory over Saint Francis in the Northeast Conference opener on Thursday.
- Three Pioneers are averaging in double figures: Nico Galette (14.4), Alex Sobel (11.9), and Tanner Thomas (10.8). Sobel leads the team in rebounds (7.6), and Galette is second with 6.1 rpg.
- Sobel is third in the nation in blocks with 44 (as of 1/5) and is fourth in blocks per game with 2.81.
- 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, Joey Reilly, and Kyle McGee were voted captains for 2023-24.
- SHU was selected first in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. Galette and Reilly were selected to the All-NEC preseason team.
