FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Led by
Anquan Hill's first double-double of the season, the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team opened the 2025-26 campaign with a dominant 103-46 victory over the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Tuesday evening at the William H. Pitt Center. The win marked Sacred Heart's first season-opening victory since the 2023-24 campaign.
Records:
Sacred Heart: 1-0
Merchant Marine: 0-0
Leaders:
Anquan Hill: 21 points, 12 rebounds
Dashon Gittens: 18 points, 5 steals
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 12 points, 3 rebounds
Yann Farell: 11 points, 7 rebounds
Fallou Gueye: 11 points, 3 rebounds
Abdou Yadd: 10 points, 5 rebounds
How it Happened:
The Pioneers raced out to an early 14-4 lead and never looked back. Hill and
Dashon Gittens fueled the fast start, combining for 19 first-half points. SHU broke the game open with a 10-0 run midway through the half, highlighted by a
Yann Farell three-pointer, to take control. A deep three-pointer from
Taj Bryant just before the halftime buzzer sent Sacred Heart into the locker room with a 45-25 advantage.
Sacred Heart kept its foot on the gas after the break, opening the second half on a 14-2 run to extend its lead beyond 30 points. The Pioneers' defense forced 21 turnovers, converting them into 23 points, while holding Merchant Marine to just 32 percent shooting from the floor.
Hill led all scorers with 21 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 64 percent (9-of-14) from the field. Gittens impressed in his Pioneer debut with 18 points, five steals, and two assists. Farell added 11 points and seven boards, while
Nyle Ralph-Beyer (12 points),
Fallou Gueye (11 points), and
Abdou Yadd (10 points) each reached double figures.
Sacred Heart shot 55.3 percent (42-76) from the field and 39.5 percent (15-38) from three-point range, while dominating the glass with a 49-22 rebounding advantage.
Of Note:
- Yadd scored in double figures in his collegiate debut.
- Hill recorded his first double-double of the season and shot 64% from the field (9-14)
- Jeremiah Jacobs and Jaden Slaughter tallied their first career points.
- SHU hit the 100-point mark for the first time since Dec. 2024, when they defeated Manhattanville, 100-60.
- The Pioneers won their home opener for the fourth consecutive season and won their first season opener since the 2023-24 season.
Up Next:
Sacred Heart will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 7, on the road at Duquesne at 7 pm.
