FAIRFIELD, Conn.—The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team opens its weekend road trip with Merrimack on Friday, February 21, at 7:00 pm at Hammel Court. The Pios and Warriors meet for the second time this season.  

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Opening Tip:

• Sacred Heart and Merrimack will meet for the second time this season on Friday and the 37th overall, dating back to 1967. SHU owns a 22-14 advantage in the all-time series. The Warriors defeated SHU 66-65 earlier this season. 
• Both teams are coming off of two straight losses. The Pios fell at home to Quinnipiac on Friday (99-90) and Siena (80-73) on Sunday. The Warriors lost to Manhattan on the road (79-75) and at home to Marist (61-60).
• Nyle Ralph-Beyer (24) and Anquan Hill (22) combined for 46 points against Siena on Sunday, leading four players in double figures. 
• Three Pioneers are averaging double figures: Tanner Thomas (15.0), Amiri Stewart (12.5), and Hill (12.5). 
• Thomas is the team leader in rebounds with 6.3, followed by Bryce Johnson (5.7) and Hill (4.9).
• Mekhi Conner is 19th in the nation with 157 assists this season and is 14th in assists per game with 6.3. 
• Sacred Heart's 9.7 three-pointers per game is 35th in the country.
• Thomas was named to the All-MAAC preseason third team. 
• This is Sacred Heart's first season as a full-time member of the MAAC.
• The Pioneers have 10 new players on the team. 
• Head Coach Anthony Latina is in his 12th season as head coach and 20th year overall with the Pioneers. 

Last Time Out:

• Sacred Heart fell to Siena, 80-73, at home on Sunday afternoon.
• Nyle Ralph-Beyer scored a career-high 24 points, and Anquan Hill added 22 as four Pios scored in double figures.
• Amiri Stewart (14) and Bryce Johnson (11) also scored in double figures, and first-year Mekhi Conner dished out a game-high 13 assists.
• Ralph-Beyer shot 71.4% (10-17), and Hill was 50% (9-18) from the field, as the two combined for 46 points to lead the Pios.
• Stewart went 4-for-7 from the field and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

About Merrimack: 

• Merrimack is 14-12 overall & 11-4 in the MAAC, currently in 3rd place. 
• The Warriors are coming off two straight losses, at Manhattan 79-75 and at home against Marist 61-60. 
• Adam "Budd" Clark is the only player averaging double figures (19.7). He is the second-leading scorer in the MAAC. Bryan Etumnu leads the team in rebounds with 5.8, and Sean Trumper is behind him with 5.7.
• Merrimack's defense is second in the MAAC, while their offense is 12th (64.7).