NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team saw its win streak come to an end Sunday afternoon, falling to Merrimack, 75–58, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action at Lawler Arena. Yann Farell led three Pioneers in double figures with a team-high 18 points, while Dashon Gittens recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Anquan Hill added 12 points to round out the scoring leaders for SHU.

Records
Sacred Heart: 10–14 (6-7 MAAC)
Merrimack: 14-9 (10-2 MAAC)

Leaders
Yann Farell: 18 points, 6 rebounds
Anquan Hill: 12 points, 4 rebounds
Dashon Gittens: 11 points, 10 rebounds

How It Happened
After an early stretch of back-and-forth play, Merrimack used a 12–2 run to break a 9–9 tie and take a 21–11 lead at the 10:23 mark. Sacred Heart trimmed the deficit to single digits over the next few minutes, but the Warriors answered each push, eventually extending the lead to 14 with 6:15 remaining in the half.

The Pioneers responded with a 9–2 run, highlighted by seven free throws, to cut the margin to seven, 36–29. Merrimack pushed the advantage back to 41–29 at the 2:23 mark, but three straight points from Gittens sent SHU into the break trailing 41–32.

Sacred Heart opened the second half with a surge. Down eight, Gittens converted a layup before Mekhi Conner buried a three-pointer to pull the Pioneers within three, 50–47. Merrimack responded with a 10–2 run to reestablish a double-digit lead at 60–49.

Nyle Ralph-Beyer knocked down a jumper as SHU scored five straight to close within six, 60–54, at the 7:08 mark. A layup and two free throws by the Warriors pushed the margin back to 10 with 6:37 to play. Sacred Heart continued to chip away, but Merrimack had an answer each time.

Hill's hook shot at 5:34 pulled SHU within single digits for the final time, but the Warriors sealed the game by converting eight straight free throws down the stretch to secure the 75–58 final.

Of Note

• Farell scored in double figures for the 13th time this season and went a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.
• Gittens recorded his fifth double-double of the year. 
• Hill reached double figures for the 15th time this season.

Up Next
Sacred Heart returns home for a cross-town rivalry matchup against Fairfield on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. inside the Pitt Center.