The Spectrum

Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: The Spectrum/Chris Morrow Joey Henley is averaging 14.7 points per game in the NEC, and 11.6 overall. The Pioneers will need to have everyone step up in the stretch run of the season.

Usually the road through the Northeast Conference schedule hits a wall as teams brace for the trip to the dreaded state that nobody likes. Pennsylvania.

The mere word itself sounds dark and sinister. Almost as though one is going through a dark wood with just a dog and a lantern.

Most basketball teams go there and split. Some get swept right out of there, and what transpires is a downward spiral into mediocrity.

But this week something remarkable happened.

Sacred Heart University men's basketball team went out and beat Robert Morris and St. Francis (Pa.).

They did it without Chauncey Hardy and Ryan Litke, who were suspended, on the road versus preseason No. 14 mid-major Robert Morris.

They did it despite being out-rebounded 34-30 and shooting just 3-for-13 from 3-point range versus St. Francis (Pa.).

They erased a seven-point deficit versus Robert Morris and the Pioneers are two games over .500 (10-8) this late in the season for the first time ever.

Sacred Heart sits in first place in the Northeast Conference, with a 6-1 conference record. If the season ended today, SHU men's basketball would be the No. 1 seed in the Northeast Conference Tournament.

Keep in mind the Pioneers had





never made the tournament until last year.

Standing in their way to the top is an old nemesis.

Sacred Heart plays at its veritable house of horrors on Saturday, Central Connecticut St. University, in New Britain. The game is a doubleheader with the women's team and begins at 2 p.m. The Pioneers have never won at Central Connecticut St., including dismissing the Pioneers from the NEC Tournament a year ago.

This stretch of losses dates back to the turn of the century. The Pioneers are 0-8 in these games and have been outscored by an average of 83-65 in those games. They have only gone to New Britain once, and didn't lose by ten or more points.

Sacred Heart needs support from its students and fans this weekend. Both teams are tied for first place in the conference and Central Connecticut St.'s atmosphere is one of the best in the conference.

This is the best team that the Pioneers have had in some time. Last year they were 6-2 in conference, before losing three straight and ultimately finishing 8-10 overall.

But there is new energy and buzz in this team. They have swept both Robert Morris and St. Francis (Pa.), had a convincing win over last year's champion without Litke and Hardy as well.

There is a very real opportunity with the depth and skill of this team to be a legitimate contender for an NCAA tournament slot and beyond.

That road starts Saturday at Central.

I mentioned earlier in the season in this space that I was hopping on the team's bandwagon and it seems to be quite full at this time.

So let's take it for a ride to New Britain and show them how the "Red Wave" and their beloved team can perform.

And hope we don't crash.

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