In a heart-stopping Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference college basketball clash, Sacred Heart narrowly defeated Merrimack 60-59 on Friday night. Anquan Hill dominated the court with 17 points and 10 rebounds, securing a critical double-double for the Pioneers. His performance anchored a resilient effort from Sacred Heart (12-14, 8-7 MAAC), who now inch closer to .500 in conference play.
Tanner Thomas added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Bryce Johnson contributed 10 points, including four clutch free throws.
Hill’s leadership was the difference-maker tonight,said a courtside analyst. His ability to control the paint sealed this gritty win.
Merrimack (14-13, 11-5 MAAC) fought fiercely behind Adam Clark’s 18 points, six rebounds, and three steals, but fell short in the final moments. The Warriors’ late-game execution faltered despite Sean Trumper’s four steals and Matt Becht’s 11 points.
Key takeaways from the MAAC basketball thriller:
- Sacred Heart’s bench outscored Merrimack’s 14-6
- Both teams combined for 15 steals, highlighting defensive intensity
- Merrimack shot just 38% from the field in the second half
With playoff implications mounting, Sacred Heart visits Saint Peter’s Sunday, while Merrimack faces a tough road test against Iona. This loss snaps Merrimack’s three-game win streak, complicating their MAAC tournament seeding hopes.