Merrimack defeats Sacred Heart 72-80

Merrimack Outlasts Sacred Heart in 8-Point Thriller

In a tightly contested conference matchup, Merrimack (AWAY) edged Sacred Heart (HOME) 80-72 on the road at William H. Pitt Center. The victory marks a significant win for the visiting Eagles, who improve their conference standing.

The game's ebb and flow was exemplified by the early lead changes. At halftime, Sacred Heart (HOME) held a slender 32-38 edge, with the away team's defense proving to be the difference-maker. Merrimack (AWAY) took control in the second half, outscoring their hosts 42-34 to secure the eight-point win.

Ernest Shelton led Merrimack (AWAY) with 19 points, showcasing his shooting prowess from beyond the arc (3-8). Kevair Kennedy chipped in with 18 points and seven assists, while KC Ugwuakazi added seven rebounds. For Sacred Heart (HOME), Nyle Ralph-Beyer paced the team with 19 points on 50% shooting from three-point range.

In terms of advanced statistics, Merrimack's efficiency was evident in their eFG% (59.3%) and True Shooting% (62.4%). The away team also demonstrated superior defensive performance, with a TO Ratio (13.8) that outpaced Sacred Heart's mark of 20.0.

This win provides a crucial boost to Merrimack's conference standing, while keeping Sacred Heart in the hunt for an important victory at home.