Sacred Heart Seeks Bounce-Back at Home vs. Saint Peter's in MAAC Tilt
Sacred Heart will try to halt a three-game skid when the Pioneers host Saint Peter's at 7 p. m. ET Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at the William H. Pitt Center. With conference positioning on the line late in the MAAC schedule, the matchup shapes up as a test of Sacred Heart's resilience against a confident Saint Peter's club.
Game snapshot
Sacred Heart enters the game 10-16 overall and 6-9 in conference play. The Pioneers have dropped three straight, most recently falling 80-68 at Manhattan. Senior wing Anquan Hill has been a bright spot, delivering a 30-point, 10-rebound performance in the loss and showing efficient scoring, including multiple three-pointers. Yann Farell chipped in 15 points in that outing.
Saint Peter's checks in at 14-8 overall and 11-3 in the MAAC, coming off a 70-65 home victory over Siena. Bryce Eaton paced that win with 22 points, while Brent Bland contributed 11. The Peacocks have been steady in league play and will look to extend their run away from the pack.
Sacred Heart outlook
The Pioneers need more consistent two-way play to snap their slide. Offense has been concentrated around Anquan Hill’s scoring burst; sustaining that production will be crucial. Hill’s combination of inside presence and outside touch gives Sacred Heart a primary creator they can lean on, but the supporting cast must provide better spacing and defensive stops.
On the glass, Sacred Heart must fight for rebounds to limit Saint Peter's second-chance opportunities. When the Pioneers secure possessions and convert at a higher clip from the perimeter, they can control tempo in front of the home crowd.
Saint Peter's strengths
Saint Peter's arrives with one of the more efficient MAAC offenses in recent weeks. Bryce Eaton’s scoring has been critical, and his ability to score inside and off the bounce forces matchups to adjust. The Peacocks have shown they can close out tight games — the five-point win over Siena highlighted their late-game execution.
Defensively, Saint Peter's has enough length and activity to contest shots and create turnovers. If the Peacocks can disrupt Sacred Heart’s rhythm early, they’re likely to force the Pioneers into rushed decisions and lower-percentage attempts.
Key matchups
Anquan Hill vs. Bryce Eaton is the marquee individual duel. Hill’s scoring and rebounding will test Eaton’s defensive resolve, while Eaton’s playmaking and shot creation will force Sacred Heart’s perimeter defenders into rotations. How each team defends pick-and-roll action and handles transition possessions will go a long way toward deciding the outcome.
Watch the battle on the glass and the teams’ bench production. Secondary scorers and role players who can hit open threes or provide energy plays will swing momentum in a close game.
What to watch late
This stretch of the MAAC schedule places a premium on conference wins. For Sacred Heart, a home victory would arrest the losing streak and keep postseason hopes alive. For Saint Peter's, a road win would solidify its standing and provide separation as the conference race tightens.
Expect a physical, fast-paced affair with possessions at a premium. The team that executes in late possession situations and limits turnovers will have the edge. With both clubs eager to make statements before the final weeks of the regular season, Friday’s game could carry implications beyond the box score.
Tip-off is set for 7 p. m. ET Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at the William H. Pitt Center, where the home crowd will hope to be the X-factor that sends the Pioneers back toward even footing in the MAAC standings.
