NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Sacred Heart University women's basketball team rallied in the second half of its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener against Iona on Thursday evening but suffered a 58-44 loss to the Gaels in New Rochelle, N.Y. 

Ny'Ceara Pryor continued to play outstanding basketball for the Pioneers, leading all scorers with 18 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. Amelia Wood finished next on the Pios with nine points while recording a career-high five blocks. 

Records: 
Sacred Heart: 4-6, 0-1 MAAC
Iona: 3-7, 1-0 MAAC
 
Leaders: 
Ny'Ceara Pryor: 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal
Amelia Wood: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 5 blocks, 2 steals
Emma Kirby: 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal

Of Note: 
SHU's offense was stellar to start tonight's game, as the Pios led 9-8 through 4:48 in the opening quarter. Pryor scored seven of the team's first nine points, hitting her third straight 3-pointer on her first shot attempt. Unfortunately for SHU, the Gaels ended the first on an 11-0 run to take a 19-9 lead into the second. 

Iona opened the second quarter with five straight points before Sacred Heart answered with four consecutive. Another 11-0 run by the home team gave the Gaels its largest lead of the half at 22 points, 37-15. Iona stayed ahead 22, 39-17, going into the third. 

The Pioneers' offense came alive at the start of the second half, as SHU opened the third quarter on a 12-4 run. Wood was on fire in the surge, tallying a 3-pointer and a three-point play to help the Pios cut the margin to 14, 43-29, forcing an Iona timeout. Sacred Heart got as close as 13 in the frame, 46-33, following a Nalyce Dudley 3-pointer, but ended up taking a 51-35 deficit into the fourth. 

The start of the fourth quarter was a defensive battle, as the two teams combined for nine points over the opening 6:12. Pryor led the way for SHU with an and one and a triple, the latter drawing the Pioneers back within 13, 54-41, with 3:48 left. Unfortunately for Sacred Heart, the Gaels were ready with an answer to every SHU run, as the home team went on to seal a 58-44 conference win. 

Up Next: 
The Pioneers host Quinnipiac on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. for its first MAAC game at the Pitt Center.