Sacred Heart Dominates Rider 105-85 Behind Balanced Attack

Sacred Heart's high-powered offense was on full display at Alumni Gymnasium, as the Pioneers routed Rider 105-85 in a non-conference matchup. Anquan Hill led the charge, scoring 26 points and grabbing 6 rebounds to pace a balanced attack that saw three players reach double figures. The victory marked a strong performance for Sacred Heart, who improved to 7-13 on the season.

The Pioneers came out firing, building a 51-38 halftime lead behind Hill's 14 first-half points. Dashon Gittens chipped in with 12 points and 5 rebounds in the opening stanza, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Rider, meanwhile, struggled to keep pace, despite 11 first-half points from Flash Burton. The Broncs' guard finished with 21 points and 8 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Pioneers' onslaught.

In the second half, Sacred Heart continued to push the tempo, outscoring Rider 54-47 to seal the 20-point win. Yann Farell added 16 points and 5 rebounds for the Pioneers, who shot 53% from the field and 42% from three-point range. The Broncs, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 41% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc.

CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Sacred Heart winning by 7.5 points, but the Pioneers far exceeded that margin. The actual score of 105-85 was a far cry from the predicted 70-70 deadlock, a reflection of Sacred Heart's impressive performance. The win marked a strong statement for the Pioneers, who continue to build momentum as the season wears on.

The loss drops Rider to 2-16 on the season, and while the Broncs showed flashes of brilliance, they ultimately couldn't keep up with Sacred Heart's high-flying offense. For Sacred Heart, the win is a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not carry significant weight in terms of tournament resume, but it's a step in the right direction for a team looking to build confidence and momentum. As for Rider, the loss is also a Quadrant 4 defeat, which won't hurt their resume significantly, but it's a missed opportunity to pick up a win against a comparable opponent. With the win, Sacred Heart's net ranking remains at 284, while Rider's drops to 358. The Pioneers want to build on this performance as they continue their push towards a potential tournament berth.