Fairfield, Conn. – Junior Nalyce Dudley drove to the hoop and put back her own shot for the game-winning bucket with 3.6 seconds remaining, leading the Sacred Heart women's basketball team to a 61-59 win over Rider.

Leading all scorers in the game was senior guard Amelia Wood who matched her total from two night ago with 21 points, connecting on 7-of-23 from the field, with a pair of three's, and 5-of-7 at the free throw line, none more important than a pair with 17.8 seconds remaining that knotted the game at 59.

Dudley's layup in the final seconds was part of 14 total points for the post player who finished 6-of-12 form the field, with a pair of free throws. She also led the team with eight rebounds, part of 31 total for the team. Among the 31 rebounds were 16 offensive boards, which the Pios turned into 13 second chance points.

As team, Sacred Heart finished the game shooting 36.7 percent from the field, connecting on 22-of-60 attempts. Among the 22 field goals were five three pointers, which came on 14 attempts, while the Pioneers added 12-of-17 from the free throw line.

RECORDS
Sacred Heart: 4-7, 2-0 MAAC
Rider: 2-9, 0-2 MAAC

TOP PERFORMERS
Amelia Wood: 21 points, 3 steals, 2 assists, 7-23 FG, 5-7 FT
Nalyce Dudley: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 6-12 FG, 3 steals, 2 assists
Emma Kirby: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 4-6 FG

FIRST QUARTER NOTES

·       Rider would strike first on the afternoon with Emma Kirby matching that opening Broncs basket with a layup 72 seconds in.

·       After Rider took a slim 4-3 lead on their next basket, the Pioneers buckled down and rattled off eight unanswered including back-to-back three's from Dudley with assists from Sophie Nascimento and Wood.

·       Rider would break up that rally with another layup after calling a timeout to regroup. The Pioneers weren't fazed as they answered with another set of back-to-back baskets, both from wood as she hit from outside the arc and then on a second-chance putback thanks to a rebound from Nascimento.

·       The Broncs would manage to end the opening quarter with five of the final six points, however Sacred Heart took a 26-21 lead into the first intermission.

SECOND QUARTER NOTES

·       The Pioneers would be the first to hit the board in the second quarter with Dudley converting nearly a minute into the frame.

·       Following a three pointer from Missy Nuku that provided a 25-16 lead, Rider would score five-straight to cut the deficit to three.

·       Jordana Schrecker and Wood would answer, the first with a pair of free throws and wood with a layup to extend the lead back to seven.

·       Coming down the stretch the Pios held Rider without a basket over the final 3:26 while Kirby and Nuku ended the half with a layup and two free throws to take a 35-28 lead into the locker room.

THIRD QUARTER NOTES

·       The message to the Broncs at half sunk in as they came out of the locker room with eight of the first 11 points to cut the Sacred Heart lead to a pair, 38-36.

·       Wood was the lone basket in the first four minutes for Sacred Heart as she converted the hoop and harm with a drive to the hoop and free throw.

·       Nascimento would drive to the hoop for two just inside the six minute mark, however that would prove to be the final basket of the quarter for Sacred Heart.  

·       Rider took advantage of the shooting struggles to score nine unanswered and end the quarter with a 45-40 lead, just their second lead of the afternoon.

FOURTH QUARTER NOTES

·       Rider would add to that lead with the opening bucket of the final frame before Dudley answered for the Pioneers.

·       A three pointer for the Broncs on the next possession would add up to the largest lead of the game for Rider at 50-42, while Dudley answered that basket with one of her own.

·       After the matching basket for the Broncs, Nascimento and Wood would go back-to-back, while defensively Sacred Heart would step up and hold Rider without a field goal, and just three free throws, over a six-plus minute stretch.

·       Despite that drought, the Broncs managed to push their lead back to five on two occasions, the last of which came with just 31.7 seconds remaining.

·       Sacred Heart answered that deficit with a three pointer from Wood seven seconds later and used the momentum of that shot to close out the game on a 7-0 run for the victory.

·       After the Broncs missed a pair from the line, Wood answered with two of her own a the free throw line on an intentional foul that also gave Sacred Heart the ball with 17.8 seconds remaining.

·       After wood knotted the game at 59 with the two free throws, the Pioneers used a handoff at the top of the arc to Dudley who went to her left and drove to the hoop. With her first shot off the mark, she fought for her own rebounds and threw up an off balanced shot that rattled of the rim and through for the 61-59 lead.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers will hit the hardwood once more before the end of the calendar year when they travel to Poughkeepsie, NY for a date with the Marist Red Foxes just prior to New Year's Eve on Monday, December 29. Tip-off in the MAAC battle is set for 2:00 p.m. with all of the action available live on ESPN+.