FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Behind a career-high 26-point performance from Dashon Gittens and a career-best 21-point, 10-assist double-double from Mekhi Conner, the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team earned an 85–63 victory over Dartmouth on Friday afternoon at the William H. Pitt Center in its final non-conference home game of the season. Four Pioneers scored in double figures in the win.
Records
Sacred Heart: 5–7 (1–1 MAAC)
Dartmouth: 5–6 (0–0 Ivy)
Leaders
Dashon Gittens: 26 points, 8 rebounds
Mekhi Conner: 21 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 12 points, 3 rebounds
Yann Farell: 10 points, 6 rebounds
How It Happened
Sacred Heart jumped out to a hot start, opening the game on an 11–2 run over the first five minutes. Dartmouth trimmed the margin to three at the 10:46 mark, but Conner and Fallou Gueye responded with four straight points to push the lead back to seven, 17–10.
The Big Green again pulled within three, but the Pioneers answered with six consecutive points to extend the advantage to 23–14. Sacred Heart led by as many as 12 in the closing minutes of the half and carried a 35–26 lead into the break.
After the Pioneers pushed their lead to 14 early in the second half, Dartmouth built momentum and tied the game at 47–47 with 13:34 remaining. Lucius Gibson-Savadel responded with a layup to spark a decisive 7–0 run, giving Sacred Heart a 54–47 edge.
Dartmouth pulled within four twice over the next minute, but the Pioneers responded each time and pulled away down the stretch. Sacred Heart extended its lead to as many as 22 and cruised to the 85–63 victory.
The Pioneers shot 41.8 percent (33-of-79) from the field, knocked down nine three-pointers, and won the rebounding battle, 48–45.
Of Note
• Conner scored a career-high 21 points and recorded the second points-assists double-double of his career.
• Gittens posted a career-high 26 points, surpassing the 20-point mark for the fourth time this season.
• Gittens has scored in double figures in every game he has appeared in this season.
• Gittens' 11 made field goals marked a career high.
• Conner accounted for 10 of Sacred Heart's 15 assists.
Up Next
Sacred Heart closes non-conference play on Monday, Dec. 22, with a 2:00 p.m. matchup at Towson.
