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Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University Pioneers
Nyle Ralph-Beyer
Josh Gee
80
Winner Merrimack Merri 7-7,3-0 MAAC
72
Sacred Heart SH 5-9,1-2 MAAC
Winner
Merrimack Merri
7-7,3-0 MAAC
80
Final
72
Sacred Heart SH
5-9,1-2 MAAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Merrimack Merri 38 42 80
Sacred Heart SH 32 40 72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Ralph-Beyer’s 19 Not Enough as Pioneers Fall to Merrimack

Ralph-Beyer scores 19, Gittens posts double-double in MAAC matchup

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team fell to Merrimack, 80–72, on Monday afternoon at the William H. Pitt Center as the Pioneers returned to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play.

Nyle Ralph-Beyer led three Pioneers in double figures with 19 points, while Dashon Gittens recorded his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Records
Sacred Heart: 5–9 (1–2 MAAC)
Merrimack: 7-7 (3–0 MAAC)

Leaders
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 19 points, 5 rebounds
Yann Farell: 17 points, 6 rebounds
Dashon Gittens: 14 points, 11 rebounds

How It Happened
Merrimack opened the game with an early scoring surge, building a double-digit lead midway through the first half behind strong perimeter shooting.

Sacred Heart responded with an 8–0 run, highlighted by five points from Gittens, trimming the deficit to five. The Pioneers later pulled within two after a Ralph-Beyer jumper and a Yann Farell three-pointer made it 30–28, but Merrimack closed the half with a late push to take a 38–32 advantage into the break.

The Warriors quickly rebuilt a double-digit cushion early in the second half, but the Pioneers continued to chip away and cut the margin to 66–61 with just over five minutes remaining following consecutive three-pointers from Ralph-Beyer. Each time Sacred Heart threatened, Merrimack answered with timely baskets to maintain control.

Merrimack pushed the lead back to 10 in the final minute. Sacred Heart responded to pull within six, but the Warriors sealed the game at the free-throw line to secure the 80–72 victory.

Sacred Heart shot 40 percent from three-point range (10-of-25) and outrebounded Merrimack 38–29 in the contest.

Of Note

  • Ralph-Beyer scored in double figures for the 10th time this season.
  • Farell reached double figures for the seventh time this year.
  • Gittens recorded his second double-double of the season.
  • Mekhi Conner has dished out five or more assists in 11 games, including each of the past 10 contests.

Up Next
Sacred Heart will travel to Western New York to open the New Year, beginning with a matchup at Niagara on Friday, Jan. 2, at 4:00 p.m.

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