FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's basketball team trounced Merrimack by a 74-48 final score on Thursday evening at the Pitt Center to even the season series between the two newest members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). 

Ny'Ceara Pryor again led the way for the Pioneers with a near triple-double on 19 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Amelia Wood also had an outstanding outing with 16 points, five rebounds and three steals. Emma Kirby was the final Pioneer to cross double figures with 12 points and six rebounds. 

Sacred Heart put on one of its best offensive performances this evening. The Pios tied a season-high with a 51.7 field goal percentage and tallied its third-most points in an MAAC game. SHU's eight 3-pointers are the second most by the team this season, both of which came at home. 

Records: 
Sacred Heart: 7-17, 3-12 MAAC
Merrimack: 11-14, 7-9 MAAC
 
Leaders: 
Ny'Ceara Pryor: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals
Amelia Wood: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
Emma Kirby: 12 points, 6 rebounds

Of Note: 
The start of tonight's game was even as the Pios and Warriors sat tied at 6-6 after 2:24. Sacred Heart took over from there, scoring 14 straight points to go ahead 20-6. The run featured Carmen Williams' triple, two Nalyce Dudley layups and a Pryor and-one. Merrimack rallied over the final 1:47 to cut the margin to 24-14 heading into the second. 

The beginning of the second quarter swung the game for the Pioneers, as SHU opened the frame with a 13-2 run. Wood took over in the stretch, hitting three 3-pointers in a row. After her final trey, the Pioneers led 37-16 at 6:41. 

SHU and Merrimack traded baskets for the final 6:14, as the Pioneers took a 44-24 advantage into the halftime break. The duo of Wood and Pryor led the way for Sacred Heart as they combined for 24 of the team's 44 points, with 13 and 11, respectively. 

SHU got off to another strong start in the third quarter, scoring five of the first seven points. Pryor buried an early pull-up, while Sierra Johnson hit one of her two 3-pointers in the game. A defensive battle ensured from there, with the Pioneers taking the quarter 11-8, as its lead grew to 22 points, 55-32. Pryor recorded a pair of three-point plays to help grow SHU's lead in the third, finishing the game with three. 

Sacred Heart's lead was never in question in the fourth, as SHU's advantage never dipped below 20. The lead grew to as high as 28, 73-45. Free throws by both teams settled the final score at 74-48 Pioneers. 

Up Next:
SHU is back at the Pitt on Saturday afternoon to play Saint Peter's at 2 p.m.