In a shocking turn of events, Sacred Heart traveled to the MVP Arena and handed Siena a stunning 86-80 defeat, pulling off a significant upset that will send ripples through the college basketball landscape. The Pioneers, ranked 294 in the net rankings, took down the 171-ranked Saints, a team that had been riding high with a 13-7 record. This monumental win will undoubtedly be a highlight of Sacred Heart's season, and a wake-up call for Siena.
Gavin Doty did everything in his power to prevent the upset, posting an impressive 20 points and 12 rebounds for Siena. However, his efforts were matched by Sacred Heart's Anquan Hill, who poured in 22 points and grabbed 5 rebounds to lead the Pioneers to victory. Hill's performance was complemented by Nyle Ralph-Beyer's 21 points and 6 rebounds, as well as Mekhi Conner's 15 points and 5 assists. For Siena, Francis Folefac added 18 points, while Justice Shoats chipped in with 14 points and 11 assists.
At halftime, Sacred Heart held a slim 42-38 lead, but it was clear that the Pioneers were not intimidated by their opponents' reputation. As the second half got underway, Sacred Heart continued to push the pace, eventually outscoring Siena 44-42 in the period. The Saints made a late push, but the Pioneers held firm, securing the 6-point victory.
This upset win is a massive boost to Sacred Heart's resume, particularly given that it was considered a Quadrant 3 game for the Pioneers. Meanwhile, Siena will have to swallow a tough Quadrant 4 loss, which could have implications for their tournament chances down the line. The Saints had been building momentum with their 13-7 record, but this defeat will undoubtedly raise questions about their ability to compete against lesser-ranked opponents.
With this result, Sacred Heart improves to 9-13 on the season, while Siena falls to 13-8. While the Pioneers' overall record may not be impressive, this win will undoubtedly be a highlight of their season, and a reflection of their ability to compete with teams above their pay grade. As for Siena, they must regroup and refocus, lest they allow this upset to derail their entire season. For now, the Saints will have to live with the knowledge that they were outplayed and outcoached by a team that was supposed to be inferior. The resume implications of this result are clear: Sacred Heart has significantly improved its tournament chances, while Siena has taken a hit that could haunt them come selection time.