Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics
Mount St. Mary's (Md.)
Women's Basketball Back at The Pitt Saturday vs The Mount
2/6/2026 5:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
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THE LEAD
Another first meeting of the season between MAAC foes awaits on Saturday as the Pioneers return home to host The Mount in the first of a home-and-home series that will see the Pioneers visit Emmitsburg for the penultimate game of the regular season. Another outcome that will play a big role in the standings heading into the homestretch of the regular season, The Mount is coming off of a last-second win over Iona on Thursday night while the Pioneers look to snap a two-game skid and look to extend their conference wins to double figures. Tip off in the MAAC battle The Pitt is set for 1:00 p.m. with all of the action in the MAAC contest available live on ESPN+.
SCOUTING SACRED HEART
After closing out their non-conference schedule with a 2-7 record, the Pioneers reset and stand at 9-5 in MAAC play. Leading the Pioneers is senior guard Amelia Wood who has scored double figures in 19 of the 23 games this season. For the season she is one of two players to average double figures at 14.0 ppg. In addition to her double figure scoring, Wood has recorded a team-high five doubles doubles which has lifted her average on the boards to 6.3 per game, while she also leads the way with 46 assists, 53 steals and 22 blocks. After increasing her career-high in scoring to 22 in the road win over Niagara, junior forward Nalyce Dudley is second in scoring average at 12.7 ppg while shooting at a team-high 46.2 percent (108-of-234) with that average increased to 51.1 percent when shooting from inside the arc. Freshman point guard Sophie Nascimento has also been a big factor to the success of late with her 9.5 per game scoring average in MAAC games, while she is averaging 11.2 points over the last 10 games. As a team, the Pioneers are shooting 39.1 percent from the field (460-of-1,176) with 96 of the 460 baskets from outside the arc. Despite a season-low 11 turnovers in the January 3 meeting against Canisius, the biggest area of improvement for the Pioneers needs to come in ball control as they are currently turning the ball over at a clip of 18.3 turnovers per game.
SCOUTING MOUNT
Two games back in the win column from Sacred Heart, Mount picked up its seventh MAAC win on Thursday night with a step-back three pointer with three seconds remaining the difference in the game. Averaging 60.2 points pe game, The Mount is led by redshirt sophomore Gabrielle Kennerly who is averaging 15.1 points per game, however has been missing from the lineup since mid-January. Kennerly is the only player to average double figures, with junior center Amber Bullard following at 8.3 ppg, while leading the team with 5.9 rebounds per outing and 23 blocks. Bullard is also leading the team from the field at 51.1 percent with all 68 of her field goals coming inside the arc. As a team, The Mount average 60.2 points per game, while surrendering 62.9 ppg to their opponents. For the season, Mount is shooting at a 37.1 percent clip (507-of-1,366), including 29.3 percent from three (132-of-450).
SERIES HISTORY vs MOUNT
· In a series that dates back to the 1999-00 season, the Pioneers and Mount will meet for the 46th time on Saturday.
· Overall, SHU holds a 33-12 record in the previous 45 meetings.
· The series began when the Sacred Heart transitioned into the Northeast Conference of which Mount St. Mary's was a member.
· After two seasons apart, the Pioneers and The Mount once again met as conference foes, this time in the MAAC last season.
· In just one meeting last season, Mount St. Mary's scored a 75-41 decision in the early weeks of conference action on January 11, with that game taking place at The Pitt.
NEXT TIME OUT
After enjoying a mid-week bye, the Pioneers will head back on the road for a day trip as they take on the Saint Peter's Peacocks on Saturday, February 14. The Valentine's Day meeting will be the only between the two squads, with Saint Peter's currently sitting at 5-8 in MAAC play. Tip-off in the holiday MAAC battle is set for 2:00 p.m. with all of the action available live on ESPN+.
