BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team saw a strong first-half effort slip away in the second half, falling 82–78 to Canisius on Sunday afternoon at the Koessler Athletic Center in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action.
Yann Farell led four Pioneers in double figures with a season-high 22 points. Dashon Gittens (15), Jaden Slaughter (11), and Abdou Yadd (10) all contributed with double-figure performances.
Records
Sacred Heart: 5–11 (1–4 MAAC)
Canisius: 7–8 (2–2 MAAC)
Leaders
Yann Farell: 22 points, 5 rebounds
Dashon Gittens: 15 points, 3 steals
Jaden Slaughter: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Abdou Yadd: 10 points
How It Happened
Sacred Heart led for the majority of the contest and carried a 41–34 advantage into halftime, but Canisius outscored the Pioneers 48–37 after the break to secure the victory.
The Pioneers changed up their starting lineup ahead of the matchup, highlighted by the first career start for Lucius Gibson-Savadel. Sacred Heart came out firing from the opening tip, as hometown product Jaden Slaughter knocked down an early three-pointer to spark a 12–2 run.
Sacred Heart held a comfortable lead throughout much of the first half before Canisius converted three free throws to trim the deficit to single digits. The Golden Griffins pulled within six, 22–16, at the 8:51 mark, but the Pioneers responded and pushed the lead back to as many as eight. Canisius closed to within two with 1:13 remaining in the half, but Sacred Heart scored five straight to take a seven-point advantage into the locker room.
The second half featured seven ties and multiple lead changes, with neither team able to pull away. Canisius tied the game at 54 with 11:36 remaining and eventually took a lead with just over five minutes to play. From there, neither team led by more than four until Gittens brought the Pioneers within one point with 29 seconds remaining following a second-chance basket and free throw, but Canisius closed out the game at the line to seal the win.
Sacred Heart finished the afternoon shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line, while Canisius held a 36–26 edge in points in the paint.
Of Note
- Gibson-Savadel made his first career start and scored a career-high eight points.
- Farell posted a season-high 22 points, just one shy of his career best.
- Gittens scored in double figures for the 14th time this season.
Up Next
Sacred Heart returns to the William H. Pitt Center for a weekend homestand, beginning Friday, Jan. 9, against Marist at 7 p.m.
