NEWARK, N.J. — Behind a season-high 21-point performance from
Nyle Ralph-Beyer and a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double from
Dashon Gittens, the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team earned a 65–49 road victory over NJIT on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers picked up their second consecutive road win and three players scored in double figures.
Records:
Sacred Heart: 4–6 (1-1 MAAC)
NJIT: 4-8 (0-0 AE)
Leaders:
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 21 points, 3 rebounds
Dashon Gittens: 16 points, 10 rebounds
Anquan Hill: 14 points, 7 rebounds
How it happened:
After trailing by as many as four points through the opening 10 minutes, Sacred Heart used an 11–0 run to take control of the first half. The run was sparked by a
Dashon Gittens layup at the 8:29 mark and capped by a three-pointer from Ralph-Beyer, giving the Pioneers a 19–12 advantage with 4:46 remaining.
A pair of free throws from
Yann Farell and another three-pointer by Ralph-Beyer pushed Sacred Heart's lead to 24–14, its largest of the half, with 2:50 left in the opening period. NJIT trimmed the deficit late, but baskets from Gittens and Farell helped the Pioneers carry a 28–24 lead into halftime.
Sacred Heart extended the margin early in the second half with layups from Gittens and
Jaden Slaughter. NJIT briefly cut the lead to one on multiple occasions, but the Pioneers responded with an 11–1 run midway through the period to push the advantage to double figures. Ralph-Beyer scored five points during the run, including a dunk to spark the surge, as Sacred Heart continued to generate offense off turnovers and second-chance opportunities.
The Pioneers stretched the lead to as many as 16 points in the closing minutes to secure the 65–49 victory.
Sacred Heart shot 42.9 percent (24-of-56) from the field and held a 40–34 rebounding advantage.
Of Note
- Gittens has scored in double figures in every game he has played this season and recorded his first double-double of the year.
- Ralph-Beyer posted a season-high 21 points. He hit a career-high five three-pointers.
- Hill scored in double figures for the seventh time this season.
- Jaden Slaughter grabbed a career-high eight rebounds.
- Mekhi Conner has recorded five or more in six consecutive games.
Up Next
Sacred Heart remains on the road for a Tuesday, Dec. 16 matchup at UMass Lowell. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
