GAME DAY INFORMATION |
DATE: January 1, 2026
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LOCATION: Pitt Center | Fairfield, CT |
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GAME DAY LINKS |
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO |
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THE LEAD
The Pioneers will open up the New Year with back-to-back home games, the first of which comes on New Year's Day with a 2:00 p.m. tip-off from the Pitt Center against the Niagara Purple Eagles. Sacred Heart looks to rebound back into the win column when they host the Purple Eagles who are still searching for their first win of the season. All of the action in the MAAC contest will be available on ESPN+.
SCOUTING SACRED HEART
After closing out its non-conference schedule with a 2-7 record, the Pioneers reset and have opened MAAC play 2-1 with wins over Iona and Rider. Leading the Pioneers is senior guard Amelia Wood who has scored double figures in the last seven games and 10 of the 12 games this season, including back-to-back 21 point games to open up conference play. Included in the first of those 21 point games was her 1,000th career point. For the season she is one of two players to average double figures at 14.0 ppg. Additionally, Wood is second on the team in rebounding with a 5.7 per game average and assists with 22 and leads the team with 25 steals and eight blocks. After increasing her career-high in scoring to 20 in the MAAC opening win over Iona, junior forward Nalyce Dudley saw her season average cross into double figures with an average of 10.8 ppg while shooting at a team-high 48.6 percent (51-of-105) with that average increased to 56.6 percent when shooting from inside the arc. As a team, the Pioneers are shooting 35.9 percent from the field (224-of-624) with 45 of the 224 baskets from outside the arc. Despite a season low 12 turnovers against Rider, 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 19.0 turnovers per game.
SCOUTING NIAGARA
Still in search of their first win of the season, Niagara enters the New Year's Day game with an 0-11 record and an 0-2 mark in MAAC play having met Siena and Saint Peter's in conference play prior to today. Averaging 52.5 points per game, Niagara is led by Senior guard Talia Dial who is the lone player averaging double figures at 12.0 ppg. More than half (24) of her 42 field goals on the season have come from outside the arc. Rookie guard Chasity Wilson follows Dial in the scoring column with an 8.6 ppg average while leading the team with 17 assists. As a team, the Purple Eagles are shooting at a 32.3 percent clip (208-of-644), including 45 three pointers.
SERIES HISTORY vs NIAGARA
·      Sacred Heart and Niagara meet for just the second time in the history of the two programs
·      The first meeting came last season in the Pioneers inaugural campaign in the MAAC with Sacred Heart doubling up the Purple Eagles 86-43 at the Pitt Center.
NEXT TIME OUT
A second game in just 48 hours awaits the Pioneers as they will return to action on Saturday, January 3 with the Canisius Golden Griffins visiting Fairfield. Tip-off in the MAAC battle is set for 2:00 p.m. with all of the action available live on ESPN+.
