Sacred Heart sees win streak snapped, but still takes positives from loss to Quinnipiac

By Connor Wilson (@Conman_815)

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Coming into Friday night’s in-state clash with Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart was without a doubt the hottest team in the MAAC over the past three weeks. Winners of five in a row, the Pioneers entered the day fifth in the conference after being predicted by the coaches to finish last of 13 in the preseason poll. 

While the Bobcats were able to pull off a comeback 99-90 win, there are still positives to be had about Anthony Latina’s Pioneers, who now sit at 7-6 in the MAAC in a three-way tie with Mount St. Mary’s and Manhattan for fifth in the league standings.

“We were hoping it was high-scoring because usually that’s to our advantage,” Latina said. “They have two grown men (Amarri Monroe and Paul Otieno) who look like grown men. You have to give the other team credit. They stepped up their will and physicality.”

One clear positive was the play of Tanner Thomas, as the Pioneers’ leading scorer poured in 19 points and was a major factor in Sacred Heart’s 51-point first half, where he chipped in 15. In that first half, the team as a whole connected on nine threes and it felt like the Pioneers couldn’t miss, but the wheels fell off on the offensive end after the 10-minute mark of the second stanza, in which Quinnipiac had a plus-12 advantage.

Late in the second half, when Sacred Heart was in the midst of that major scoring drought, Thomas rolled his right ankle and had to depart, ultimately not returning while the Pioneers were trying to crawl back into it.

“He’s a tough kid,” Latina said of Thomas. “He’s got 48 hours and we need him. He was not himself after he tweaked his ankle.”

Another positive to take is the pressure that the Pioneers gave to the Bobcats, forcing 17 turnovers, 13 of which resulted in steals. In a game that was high-scoring with quick possessions on both ends of the floor, Sacred Heart—anchored by Mekhi Conner and Amiri Stewart—was able to be disruptive, picking the pockets of Quinnipiac passers and intercepting errant passes.

“(Quinnipiac) had seven more turnovers (than us),” Latina said. “Where’s the difference? Twenty-nine rebounds to 52. They physically imposed their will and they deserve credit for that. Coach (Tom) Pecora is a great coach and we just weren’t up for the challenge today.”

Overall, if you were to tell Latina that on Valentine’s Day, his team would be sitting right in the middle of the pack in the MAAC with a record over .500 in league play, he’d definitely have to take it.

“We had some injuries early and were trying to figure it out, but I think we’re in a decent place,” he said. “To say, ‘did I think we’d be here,’ I’d say to that, I hoped we’d be here because you just don’t know.”

With returning only one rotational player—Thomas, who only played eight games last season due to injury—there was certainly reason for Latina to have some hesitation going into the year seeing he had nearly an entire new roster to work with. The result has been relieving for the longtime head coach, but he still feels like his team hasn’t reached its full potential for this year and years to come.

“The key going forward is who’s gonna retain some guys,” Latina said. “It’s no secret why those three teams (Quinnipiac, Merrimack and Marist) are at the top. They have veteran guys back where there’s a comfort level and a trust level.”

The Pioneers will look to get back to their winning ways on Sunday, when they host Siena at the Pitt Center at 1 p.m.