FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Nyle Ralph-Beyer scored a team-high 19 points to lead the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team to its third consecutive victory, as the Pioneers held off Canisius, 69–66, Thursday evening at the Pitt Center in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action. Ralph-Beyer paced three Sacred Heart players in double figures, while Anquan Hill recorded his third double-double of the season.

Records
Sacred Heart: 8–13 (4–6 MAAC)
Canisius: 8–12 (3–6 MAAC)

Leaders
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 19 points, 3 rebounds
Dashon Gittens: 16 points, 7 rebounds
Anquan Hill: 12 points, 11 rebounds
Mekhi Conner: 6 points, 12 assists

How It Happened
Canisius built an early advantage, leading by as many as 11 points in the opening half before Sacred Heart began to find its rhythm. A three-pointer from Mekhi Conner and a layup by Ralph-Beyer trimmed the deficit to six, 20–14, at the 8:53 mark, though the Golden Griffins answered with a triple to regain a nine-point cushion.

Ralph-Beyer then ignited a 6–0 run with a three-pointer, pulling the Pioneers within three, 23–20. Sacred Heart continued to chip away and eventually tied the game at 30–30 heading into halftime.

The second half featured a back-and-forth battle, with neither team leading by more than four points until the closing minutes. With 3:24 remaining, Dashon Gittens buried a three-pointer and Ralph-Beyer followed with a key putback to extend Sacred Heart's lead to seven, 66–59.

Canisius responded late, cutting the deficit to two with 20 seconds remaining, but Ralph-Beyer knocked down a free throw, and the Pioneers played good defense on the final possession to force a bad Canisius shot and secure the 69–66 victory.

Ralph-Beyer finished 7-for-14 from the field and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc, while Gittens matched his career high with four three-pointers on 4-of-6 shooting. Sacred Heart shot 43.1% (25-of-58) from the floor, connected on 13 three-pointers, and edged Canisius on the glass, 38–37.

Of Note

• Conner recorded his third double-digit assist game of the season with 12.
• Ralph-Beyer scored in double figures for the fourth consecutive game.
• Gittens posted his third straight double-digit scoring effort and tied his career high with four three-pointers.
• Hill registered his third double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Up Next
Sacred Heart returns to action on Saturday, January 24, welcoming Niagara to the Pitt Center for a noon tipoff.