Merrimack Warriors Face Sacred Heart Pioneers in MAAC Showdown

The Merrimack Warriors (6-8, 3-0 MAAC) will take on the Sacred Heart Pioneers (6-8, 2-1 MAAC) in a highly anticipated MAAC basketball matchup at the William H. Pitt Center in Fairfield, Connecticut, on Friday, January 10, 2025. The game, scheduled for 11:00 AM ET, will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Merrimack enters the game as a 2-point favorite, with the over/under set at 140.5 points. The Warriors are coming off a 67-54 victory over Fairfield, while Sacred Heart secured a 99-82 win against Canisius in their last outing. Both teams hold identical 6-8 records, making this a crucial game for conference standings.

Sacred Heart’s offense has been a key factor this season, averaging 76.0 points per game, ranking 163rd in college basketball. However, their defense has struggled, allowing 75.6 points per game, placing them 290th nationally. Merrimack, on the other hand, has been more defensively sound, giving up just 66.8 points per game, ranking 66th in the nation, though their offense has been less potent, averaging 63.8 points per game.

Adam Clark leads the Warriors with 19.9 points and 5.2 assists per game, while Sean Trumper anchors the team with 5.6 rebounds per contest. For Sacred Heart, Anquan Hill is the top scorer, averaging 12.2 points per game, and Bryce Johnson leads the team in rebounds with 6.0 per game.

This matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams since March 2024, when Sacred Heart narrowly defeated Merrimack 89-85. The Warriors have won seven of their last 10 games against the Pioneers, but Sacred Heart’s recent offensive surge could make this a tightly contested game.

Bettors should note that Merrimack has a strong track record against the spread, covering in six consecutive road games. Meanwhile, Sacred Heart has struggled as underdogs, posting a 2-4-1 record against the spread when facing a 2-point or greater disadvantage.

With both teams looking to improve their conference records, this game promises to be a competitive battle. Fans can expect a close contest as Merrimack aims to extend their winning streak, while Sacred Heart looks to capitalize on their home-court advantage.