The Sacred Heart women's basketball team continued their dominance in front of a crowd of 676 with a win over Central Connecticut State Blue Devils, 63-57.  

The Pioneers increased their conference record to 7-0 and overall 14-4 overall (Sacred Heart did fall to Quinnipac 71-34 Monday night for their first conference loss), as the Pioneers redeemed themselves as the Blue Devils knocked them out of the conference tournament last season.

"Every win is a huge win, especially with our record", said junior Morgan Merriman, who finished with ten points and three assists. "We definitely have a target on our backs; everyone wants to beat ‘that' team."

For most of the first half both teams fought for the lead going back and forth, but with 3:56 left in the first quarter, sophomore Blair Koniszewski made a three pointer, giving the Pioneers a 29-21 lead.  

"The first half of the game was very competitive," said Merriman.

The Pioneers got five more points with contributions from freshman Gabrielle Washington, sophomore Ericka Norman, and senior Kris Iovino. 

At the end of the first half the Pioneers maintained a ten point lead.

Norman finished the game with 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.

In the second half the Pioneers fought to maintain their lead for the first ten minutes of the second half while trying to also contain an aggressive Blue Devil offensive.  

"Our conference is very competitive; the team that wins is often just the team that shows up ready, focused and with the most energy," said Merriman.

On this night, it was the Pioneers who showed up ready to play.

The Blue Devils were able to cut a four point deficit behind junior Kristen Daamen, who helped lead a 7-0 run for the Blue Devils giving them a slight lead over the Pioneers.  

The Pioneers were able to gain control and regain the lead with 1:45 left in the game when Merriman made a key layup making it 59-57.  

They were able to secure the win when Central's Kaley Watras missed a layup and senior Callan Taylor came up with the big defensive board.  

  "Callan grabbed an important rebound down the stretch and Morgan Merriman made a couple of really big layups that really helped up out", said head coach Ed Swanson to the Pioneer athletic website. 

Taylor and Washington closed the game out when they each made both of their free throws, making the final score 63-57.

The Pioneers take on Mount St. Mary's on Saturday Jan. 28 at 1 p.m.