FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team is heading to Charlotte, N.C., to take on Queens University in the final game of the Villanova Challenge on Saturday, November 15, at 3:00 pm.

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OPENING TIP

• Sacred Heart and Queens meet for the first time on Saturday.
• The matchup marks the third and final game of the Villanova Challenge.
• Both teams are 0-2 in the event, having faced Duquesne and Villanova earlier in the week.
• Mekhi Conner (15) and Yann Farell (11) scored in double figures in Tuesday's loss to Villanova.
• Queens erased a 21-point deficit to force overtime before falling to Duquesne, 87–81, on Tuesday.
• The Pioneers were picked third in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll and led the league with three preseason All-MAAC selections: Anquan Hill – First Team, Conner – Second Team, Nyle Ralph-Beyer – Third Team
• SHU returns nine players from last year's roster.
• The team welcomes two transfers (Dashon Gittens, and Farell) and four first-year players.
• Sacred Heart enters its second season in the MAAC after a strong debut campaign that included a seventh-place finish and a conference tournament win over Fairfield to advance to the quarterfinals.
• The Pioneers feature three student-athletes from Africa: Fallou Gueye, Farell, and Abdou Yadd.
• Sacred Heart is celebrating its 60th season of men's basketball.
• Head coach Anthony Latina enters his 13th season at the helm of the program.

SCOUTING QUEENS

• Queens enters the contest with a 1–3 overall record.
• The Royals opened the season with an 81–74 setback at Winthrop before earning an 87–76 victory over the University of Lynchburg in their home opener. Queens then dropped both games of the Villanova Challenge, falling to host Villanova, 94–74, and Duquesne, 87–81, in overtime.
• The Royals were selected first in the ASUN Preseason Coaches' Poll. Senior guard Chris Ashby returns after being named the ASUN Preseason Player of the Year.
• Queens returns 43 percent of its scoring from last season, led by current top scorers Yoav Bergman (16.3 ppg), Nasir Mann (14.3 ppg), and Ashby (14.0 ppg). 

LAST TIME OUT

• Conner led the Pioneers with 15 points, knocking down four three-pointers to go with four rebounds and two assists.
• Farell followed with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including three makes from beyond the arc.
• Fallou Gueye added eight points, three rebounds, and three assists off the bench.
• Sacred Heart shot 46% from three in the second half and recorded nine assists on 13 made field goals after halftime.
• As a team, Sacred Heart shot 41% (23–56) from the field and 40% (12–30) from three, with seven different players connecting from long range.