Fairfield, CT – Men's Basketball fell in heartbreaking fashion 71-70 to Sacred Heart Saturday afternoon at the William H. Pitt Center.

The Purple Eagles fell to 5-15, 2-8 MAAC, while the Pioneers improved to 9-13, 5-6 MAAC.

Niagara came out aggressively, establishing an early presence in the paint behind Will Shortt. His tip-in at 17:27 gave the Purple Eagles a 6-3 lead.

Sacred Heart brought it to a one point game at 14:50, but Niagara went on a 10-6 run in the next two minutes to reestablish their lead. 

The teams traded buckets until there was less than a minute left in the half when the Pioneers hit back-to-back buckets to cut the Purple Eagles lead to three. Justin Hawkins added a layup with 29 seconds left to give Niagara a 36-31 lead into half.

Niagara opened the second half on a 13-7 run with Justin Page, Josiah Sabino and Vice Zanki all knocking two buckets a piece.

The Purple Eagles kept a consistent nine point lead for most of the second half, answering every time the Pioneers converted. Shortt gave Niagara their largest lead of the day at 13 with 3:46 remaining.

The Pioneers closed the game on a 14-0 run, converting on an and-one play with one second remaining to defeat the Purple Eagles 71-70.

Game Notes

Niagara is now 1-2 all-time against Niagara

Shortt recorded his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds

Sabino set a season-high with 13 rebounds

Zanki led the Purple Eagles with 19 points, setting a career-high

Niagara outrebounded the Pioneers 33-23

Up Next

Niagara returns home Friday January 30 to take on Siena at 6:30 pm inside the Gallagher Center.