The Sacred Heart Pioneers will travel to the Chace Athletic Center to take on the Bryant Bulldogs this Friday afternoon in College Basketball action.
The Sacred Heart Pioneers snapped a 2-game losing streak and improved to 5-9 on the season after defeating the Long Island University Sharks, 69-65, this past Wednesday night. Sacred Heart was solid defensively against Long Island University Sharks and was able to pull away for the victory after taking a 61-52 lead with 3:41 left in regulation. Sacred Heart shot 36.9% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc while holding Long Island University to just 34.3% from the field & 30.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Pioneers was Tyler Thomas who had 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, & 3 steals.
On the season, Sacred Heart is averaging 71.8 ppg on 43.5% shooting from the field. The Pioneers are averaging 8.7 three-pointers per game on 33.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Sacred Heart has been led by Tyler Thomas (18.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 spg), Aaron Clarke (15.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 4.0 apg), Nico Galette (10.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.8 apg), & Alex Watson (8.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 apg).
Defensively, Sacred Heart is allowing their opponents to average 72.5 ppg on 44.8% shooting from the field. The Pioneers have a rebound margin of 2.8 and a turnover margin of -2.4.
The Bryant Bulldogs improved to 5-7 on the season after defeating Central Connecticut Blue Devils, 86-78, this past Wednesday. Bryant led by a 40-31 margin at halftime and was able to hold off Central Connecticut for the victory after taking a 74-63 lead with 3:47 left in regulation. Bryant shot 45.2% from the field & 28.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Central Connecticut to shoot 42.9% from the field & 40.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Hall Elisias who had a double-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, & 5 blocks.
On the season, Bryant is averaging 72.6 ppg on 41.7% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs are averaging 8.4 three-pointers per game on 28.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Bryant has been led by Peter Kiss (18.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.6 spg), Charles Pride (14.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.6 spg), Hall Elisias (1.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.2 apg), & Adham Eleeda (9.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg).
Defensively, Bryant is allowing their opponents to an average of 75.0 ppg on 42.7% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs have a rebound margin of 0.7 and a turnover margin of -2.9.
The Pioneers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games, however, are just 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up win. The Bulldogs are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall & 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Sacred Heart has been led by their offense which comes into this game ranked 188th in scoring offense & t-88th in three-pointers made per game, however, the defense has struggled and currently ranks just 270th in scoring defense. Bryant is also led by their offense which ranks 169th in scoring offense & 106th in three-pointers made per game, however, the Bulldogs have had trouble giving up points and currently rank just 300th in scoring defense.
Bryant is no doubt the better team here, however, their defense has really struggled this season which Sacred Heart should be able to take advantage of with their solid three-point shooting. Sacred Heart has been competitive on the road this season, picking up three wins, and as I think the Pioneers will be able to keep this one competitive, I think the play here is to take Sacred Heart and the points. Good Luck!