FAIRFIELD, Conn.— Led by an 18-performance from Anquan Hill, the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action with an 83-59 win over Iona on Friday evening in the Pitt Center. The Pioneers had four players in double figures as they won their third straight game, including two on their home court. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 4-5, (1-0 MAAC)
Iona:  2-8, (0-1 MAAC) 

Leaders:
Anquan Hill: 18 points, 7 rebounds
Bryce Johnson: 14 points, 6 rebounds
Amiri Stewart: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists 
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 11 points (4-for-9 FG) 

Of Note:
The Pioneers shot 62% (18-for-29) from the field in the first half, highlighted by 12 points from Anquan Hill. 

Iona took a quick 5-0 lead to start the game, but Hill scored five straight, and a free throw from Bryce Johnson gave SHU a 6-5 lead. The Gaels answered with a layup of their own before Hill and Amiri Stewart fired back-to-back triples to take a 12-7 lead and force an Iona timeout. Hill added another bucket for his 10th point in five minutes to extend the Pios edge. 

Another jumper for Hill sparked a 7-1 run for SHU, capped by a triple from Johnson as the Pioneers took a 21-10 lead at 13:16 in the opening frame. 

Iona was able to pull within seven, but Taj Bryant made a layup, sending the Pioneers on an 8-2 run and putting SHU ahead 32-19. The Gaels only scored seven points through the remainder of the half and Nyle Ralph-Beyer hit a three-pointer buzzer-beater to send the Pioneers into the break with a 47-26 edge. 

Sacred Heart did not let up in the second half. Iona opened the second half similarly to how they opened the first, scoring four straight, cutting their deficit to 17. The Pioneers answered with four of their own to regain their 21-point edge. 

A Hill trey sparked a 9-0 run for SHU, giving the Pioneers their largest lead of the game, 60-32, at 15:06. Sacred Heart dominated through the remainder of the game, maintaining a double-digit lead. Iona pulled within 17 twice, but the Pioneers ended with the 24-point edge in the 83-59 final. 

Sacred Heart shot 49% (28-for-57) from the field and 41% (10-for-24) from three-point range. Taj Bryant scored a season-high six points, and Mekhi Conner dished out a season-best eight assists. 

Up Next: 
Sacred Heart will be back on the road with a quick trip up the road to the MAAC Preseason favorites, Quinnipiac on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2:00 pm.