Preview: Sacred Heart Pioneers at Manhattan Jaspers

NEW YORK (Interstat) — Two men’s NCAA Division I teams seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the Sacred Heart Pioneers visit the Manhattan Jaspers in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matchup at Draddy Gymnasium.

Both teams enter with sub-.500 overall records. Sacred Heart (10-14) looks to rebound from a 75-58 road loss at Merrimack on Feb. 1. Manhattan (9-15) aims to halt a two-game skid, most recently a 72-65 defeat at Mount Saint Mary’s, also on Feb. 1.

The Pioneers have shown flashes, winning five of seven games in a stretch from Jan. 11-30 before the Merrimack loss. Their offense will run through guard Dashon Gittens, who is coming off a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in that defeat. Over his last eight games, Gittens has averaged 14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists, including a 25-point, 10-rebound performance in a win at Rider on Jan. 19. Support comes from Yann Farell, who scored a team-high 18 points against Merrimack.

Manhattan’s recent form has been inconsistent, with its only win in the last six games a 95-90 victory over Rider on Jan. 30. The Jaspers will rely on forward Anthony Isaac, who nearly posted a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds against Mount Saint Mary’s. Isaac recorded a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double in an overtime loss at Quinnipiac on Jan. 19. Guard Jaden Winston, who led Manhattan with 13 points in its last outing, provides backcourt scoring.

Historically, the teams have split their last 10 meetings, with Manhattan holding a narrow 12-11 edge in the all-time series. This contest represents a key opportunity for either squad to build confidence ahead of the conference tournament.

Sacred Heart visits Fairfield on Feb. 20. Manhattan travels to Niagara on Feb. 13.