Preview: Sacred Heart at Niagara in Metro Atlantic Action

SANBORN, N.Y. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum to turn around slow starts will meet Friday when the Sacred Heart Pioneers visit the Niagara Purple Eagles in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball game.

The matchup at the Gallagher Center pits Sacred Heart (5-9) against Niagara (3-9) in the conference opener for both programs. Each squad enters having last played in late December.

The Pioneers are coming off an 80-72 home loss to Merrimack on Monday. In that game, Dashon Gittens recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Nyle Ralph-Beyer scored a team-high 19 points. Gittens, a key player to watch, has been a consistent performer, averaging a double-double over his last three games, including a 26-point, 8-rebound effort in a win over Dartmouth on Dec. 19.

Niagara last played on Dec. 20, securing an 81-58 non-conference victory over Houghton. Guard Brian Griffith led the way with 14 points, five assists and four rebounds in that win. Griffith’s production has fluctuated, but he erupted for 16 points in 17 minutes in a prior loss to Morgan State.

Both teams have struggled against tougher competition this season. Sacred Heart’s five wins have come against opponents including Dartmouth, NJIT and Holy Cross, but they have faced double-digit losses to Penn State, Towson and UMass Lowell. Similarly, Niagara’s three victories are over Houghton, Delaware State and Binghamton, with lopsided defeats to Duke, VCU and Saint Peter’s.

The game will be the first of a home-and-home series between the schools this season, with the rematch scheduled for Jan. 24 in Fairfield, Connecticut.

For Sacred Heart, establishing rhythm after the holiday break and containing Griffith on the perimeter will be focal points. Niagara, playing at home, will aim to build on its most recent win and find consistency beyond Griffith, potentially looking to Landon Williams (10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks vs. Houghton) for interior presence.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST Friday at the Gallagher Center.