GAME DAY INFORMATION |
DATE: December 19, 2025
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LOCATION: Hynes Athletics Center | New Rochelle, NY |
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GAME DAY LINKS |
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO |
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THE LEAD
It's back to a blank slate for the Sacred Heart women's basketball team as they push the reset button and turn their complete attention to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with the remaining 20 games on the schedule all coming in league play. First up for the Pioneers is a visit to Iona, a team they split the home-and-home series with last season. Tip-off from the Haynes Athletic Center is set for 6:00 p.m. with all of the action available on ESPN+.
SCOUTING SACRED HEART
After closing out its non-conference schedule with a 2-7 record, the Pioneers are looking to open MAAC play in the win column against a team they closed out the 2024-25 season defeating 69-57 at The Pitt Center. Leading the Pioneers into conference play is senior guard Amelia Wood who has scored double figures in seven of the nine games this season, including a season-high for all players of 20 on the road against CCSU. For the season she is the lone player to average double figures at 12.8 ppg. Additionally, Wood is second on the team in rebounding with a 5.3 per game average and assists with 15 and leads the team with 17 steals and six blocks. After increasing her career-high in scoring to 19 against UAlbany, junior forward Nalyce Dudley vaulted into the second position in the scoring column with an average of 9.4 ppg while shooting at a team-high 45 percent (33-of-74) with that average increased to 53.8 percent when shooting from inside the arc. As a team, the Pioneers are shooting 34.5 percent from the field (164-of-475) with 36 of the 164 baskets from outside the arc. Despite a season low 13 turnovers against UAlbany, the biggest area of improvement for the Pioneers needs to come in ball control as they are currently turning the ball over at a clip of 18.9 turnovers per game.
SCOUTING IONA
In its final test before opening up conference play, Iona had its five-game win streak snapped with a home loss to Dartmouth last Saturday. Overall, the Gaels closed out non-conference action with a 7-3 record, including a 2-0 showing in the Iona Turkey Tip-Off with wins over UIC and Saint Francis. For the season, Iona is averaging 57.4 points per game almost equal to their opponents (57.2). Leading the way is junior forward Zoey Ward who is averaging 13.1 points per game as one of four players who has started all 10 games. Despite being a post player, Ward is a threat from outside, currently sitting at second on the team with 11 three pointers. Additionally, she leads the team with 8.0 rebounds per game. Following her in the scoring column is graduate guard Isabella Middleton at 12.0 ppg.
SERIES HISTORY vs IONA
·      Friday's game will be the 15th meeting between the Pioneers and Gaels in a series that dates back to the 1977-78 season.
·      Overall, Iona owns a 10-4 record in the three previous 14 matchups.
·      In the Pioneers Division I era, the two teams met nine times with Iona holding a 6-3 edge in those games.
·      Last season marked the first time the two had met in conference play with each team winning on its own home floor.
·      Under 13th year head coach Jessica Mannetti, the Pioneers hold a 2-5 record against Iona.
NEXT TIME OUT
One more game is all that stands between the Pioneers and the holiday break as Sacred Heart will close out the 2025 portion of its home schedule on Sunday, December 21 with a visit from the Rider Broncs. Tip-off in the MAAC game is set for 2:00 p.m. with all of the action available live on ESPN+.
