FAIRFIELD, Conn.— Graduate forward
Bryce Johnson became the Sacred Heart University men's basketball program's Division I rebound leader as the Pioneers defeated Fairfield, 83-62, completing the season sweep of the Stags on Sunday afternoon in the Pitt Center. Four players scored in double figures in SHU's exciting Senior Day win.
The victory marks the first time the Pioneers have defeated the Stags in the Pitt Center in three meetings at SHU.
Records:
Sacred Heart: 14-15, (10-8 MAAC)
Fairfield: 11-18, (7-11 MAAC)
Leaders:
Bryce Johnson: 18 points, 9 rebounds
Griffin Barrouk: 17 points, 5 three-pointers
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 16 points
Tanner Thomas: 11 points, 7 rebounds
Amiri Stewart: 10 rebounds, 8 points
Of Note:
Sacred Heart led from the start and never looked back. After the Pioneers opened the game with a 12-2 run, the Stags were able to cut their deficit to six. SHU answered with a 12-1 run, extending its lead to 17 at 8:16 in the opening frame.
With an 18-point edge, a
Griffin Barrouk triple pushed the Pioneers ahead 37-16 with just over four minutes left in the half. Fairfield cut their deficit to 16, but a
Taj Bryant three-point buzzer-beater sent the Pioneers into the break with a 42-23 edge.
Fairfield cut the Pios lead to 17 to start the half, but SHU answered with a combined seven points from Johnson and
Mekhi Conner to take a 49-25 advantage.
A
Tanner Thomas triple gave the Pios their largest lead of the day, 70-40 at 8:24 in the second. Sacred Heart maintained a 27 or more-point lead until 1:18, when the Stags scored seven points to cut their deficit to 21, as the Pioneers took the 83-62 final.
Johnson was nearly unstoppable for the Pioneers, going 8-for-12 from the field en route to an 18-point performance and was one rebound shy of a double-double, with nine.
Barrouk had an outstanding day off the bench, shooting 60% (6-10) from the field and going 5-for-8 from three-point range.
The Pioneers hit 11 triples as a team and shot 49.3% (33-67) from the field. SHU dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Stags 41-28.
Up Next:
Sacred Heart will conclude the regular season with a trip to Manhattan, who they are currently tied with in the MAAC standings. The Pios will kick off the final weekend of regular season play on Thursday, March 6, at 7:00 pm.
