NCAAB · Final

Sacred Heart Edges Niagara in Thrilling Finish

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · William H. Pitt Center

Sacred Heart Pioneers 71, Niagara Purple Eagles 70, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

Next free pick (not the main pick)

The next free pick, for your email

Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.

Unlock today's pick in Telegram →

or by email

Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick

One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.

Get the daily free pick · See plans

Quick answers

Who won Niagara Purple Eagles vs Sacred Heart Pioneers?

Sacred Heart Pioneers beat Niagara Purple Eagles 71-70 at William H. Pitt Center on January 24, 2026.

Who was favored in Niagara Purple Eagles vs Sacred Heart Pioneers?

Sacred Heart Pioneers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -485 (about 83% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Sacred Heart Pioneers narrowly defeated the Niagara Purple Eagles with a final score of 71-70 at the William H. Pitt Center. This game was significant as it marked a crucial win for Sacred Heart, who has been on a recent upswing, winning three consecutive games leading into this fixture. The Pioneers improved their record to 10-13, while Niagara fell to 5-16.

Sacred Heart's recent form has shown a marked improvement, with a record of 4-6 over their last ten games. They have averaged 73.5 points scored per game while allowing 73.8 points, indicating a high-scoring but defensively vulnerable style. In their last five games, they have been particularly effective, boasting a record of 3-2 and averaging 78.4 points per game. The Pioneers' home record stands at 2-3, while they have performed equally well away with a 2-3 record.

In contrast, Niagara has struggled recently, with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games and currently on a two-game losing streak. The Purple Eagles have averaged 65.2 points scored and 70.1 points allowed during this stretch. Their away record is particularly concerning, sitting at 1-5, which highlights their difficulties in securing wins outside of their home venue.

The two teams have met twice this season, with each team winning one game. Niagara previously defeated Sacred Heart 64-61 on January 2, 2026, while Sacred Heart won 86-77 on January 25, 2025. This fixture was a chance for Sacred Heart to even the season series, and they succeeded in a dramatic fashion.

In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any key players missing from either team, suggesting both squads were at full strength for this crucial matchup. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Sacred Heart favored by 9.5 points, with a total set at 139.5. The money line indicated Sacred Heart at -485 and Niagara at 370, reflecting the Pioneers' status as the clear favorites.

The game conditions were likely conducive to a competitive atmosphere, given the stakes for both teams. As the game progressed, it became evident that both teams were fighting hard for every point, leading to a thrilling finish. The scoring plays in the second half highlighted a comeback effort from Sacred Heart, who trailed at various points in the game. Dashon Gittens made a layup to put Niagara ahead 70-59 before Sacred Heart began to rally.

Mekhi Conner played a pivotal role in the comeback, hitting crucial three-pointers and converting free throws to close the gap. Anquan Hill's layup, assisted by Gittens, tied the game at 70-70, and Hill then converted a free throw to give the Pioneers the lead at 71-70 with just seconds remaining.

Viewers should note the resilience displayed by Sacred Heart in the final moments of the game, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. This win not only boosts their confidence but also positions them better in the league standings as they look to build on this momentum.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	SHU -9.5	139.5 o -115 / u -105	Niagara Purple Eagles +370 · Sacred Heart Pioneers -485

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsDashon Gittens19Sacred Heart Pioneers
AssistsMekhi Conner7Sacred Heart Pioneers
ReboundsDashon Gittens5Sacred Heart Pioneers
PointsVice Zanki19Niagara Purple Eagles
AssistsJustin Hawkins5Niagara Purple Eagles
ReboundsWill Shortt13Niagara Purple Eagles

Recent form

Sacred Heart Pioneers

Last 10: 4-6Streak W373.5 scored · 73.8 allowed per game2-3 at home

W69-66vs Canisius Golden GriffinsJan 23
W105-85at Rider BroncsJan 19
W86-80at Siena SaintsJan 15
L60-70vs Quinnipiac BobcatsJan 11
L72-76vs Marist Red FoxesJan 10
L78-82at Canisius Golden GriffinsJan 4
L61-64at Niagara Purple EaglesJan 2
L72-80vs Merrimack WarriorsDec 29
L47-72at Towson TigersDec 22
W85-63vs Dartmouth Big GreenDec 19

Niagara Purple Eagles

Last 10: 3-7Streak L265.2 scored · 70.1 allowed per game1-5 away

L61-62at Fairfield StagsJan 23
L58-68vs Mount St. Mary's MountaineersJan 19
W59-54at Canisius Golden GriffinsJan 15
L70-79at Manhattan JaspersJan 11
L53-71at Iona GaelsJan 10
L75-83vs Fairfield StagsJan 4
W64-61vs Sacred Heart PioneersJan 2
W81-58vs Houghton HighlandersDec 20
L58-84at VCU RamsDec 16
L73-81at Morgan State BearsDec 13

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Merrimack	23-11	-	17-3
Saint Peter's	17-12	3	14-6
Siena	23-12	4	13-7
Marist	19-12	5	12-8
Quinnipiac	19-13	5	12-8
Fairfield	21-13	6	11-9
Mount St. Mary's	15-17	6	11-9
Iona	18-14	7	10-10
Sacred Heart	14-19	8	9-11
Manhattan	12-20	9	8-12
Canisius	10-21	12	5-15
Niagara	8-22	12	5-15
Rider	4-25	14	3-17

Box score

Stat	Niagara Purple Eagles	Sacred Heart Pioneers
Field goals	31-53	25-54
Field goal %	58	46
Three-pointers	7-18	10-27
Three-point %	39	37
Free throws	1-7	11-16
Free throw %	14	69
Rebounds	33	23
Offensive rebounds	5	4
Defensive rebounds	28	19
Assists	19	17
Steals	7	7
Blocks	1	0
Turnovers	14	9
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	4	8
Fast-break points	0	3
Points in the paint	48	24
Fouls	13	13
Largest lead	13	2
Lead changes	2	2
Time in front	95	1

How the scoring went

1st Half34-31Nyle Ralph-Beyer makes driving layup
1st Half36-31Justin Hawkins makes layup (Josiah Sabino assists)
1st Half36-34Anquan Hill makes 27-foot three point jumper (Dashon Gittens assists)
2nd Half38-34Justin Page makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half38-37Nyle Ralph-Beyer makes 26-foot three point jumper (Yann Farell assists)
2nd Half40-37Justin Page makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half42-37Josiah Sabino makes driving layup
2nd Half42-39Anquan Hill makes layup (Mekhi Conner assists)
2nd Half44-39Josiah Sabino makes driving layup (Trenton Walters assists)
2nd Half44-41Anquan Hill makes layup (Mekhi Conner assists)
2nd Half46-41Vice Zanki makes layup
2nd Half49-41Vice Zanki makes 23-foot three point jumper (Josiah Sabino assists)
2nd Half49-43Dashon Gittens makes driving layup
2nd Half49-45Dashon Gittens makes 10-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half51-45Justin Hawkins makes driving layup
2nd Half51-46Fallou Gueye makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-46Will Shortt makes 11-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half55-46Reggie Prudhomme makes layup (Vice Zanki assists)
2nd Half55-48Dashon Gittens makes driving layup
2nd Half57-48Vice Zanki makes layup
2nd Half57-50Dashon Gittens makes 10-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half59-50Vice Zanki makes layup (Justin Hawkins assists)
2nd Half59-51Fallou Gueye makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-52Fallou Gueye makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-52Justin Hawkins makes layup (Justin Page assists)
2nd Half61-55Fallou Gueye makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Conner assists)
2nd Half63-55Justin Page makes layup (Justin Hawkins assists)
2nd Half63-57Anquan Hill makes 4-foot dunk (Mekhi Conner assists)
2nd Half65-57Justin Page makes layup (Vice Zanki assists)
2nd Half67-57Justin Page makes driving layup
2nd Half68-57Will Shortt makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-57Will Shortt makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half70-59Dashon Gittens makes layup (Mekhi Conner assists)
2nd Half70-60Dashon Gittens makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half70-63Anquan Hill makes 25-foot three point jumper (Dashon Gittens assists)
2nd Half70-66Mekhi Conner makes 24-foot three point jumper (Anquan Hill assists)
2nd Half70-67Mekhi Conner makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-68Mekhi Conner makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-70Anquan Hill makes layup (Dashon Gittens assists)
2nd Half70-71Anquan Hill makes free throw 1 of 1

Win probability

Above the line favours Sacred Heart Pioneers, below favours Niagara Purple Eagles.