Five Double-Digit Scorers Showcase Sacred Heart's Depth in Their Home Victory Over Binghamton

By Joe Budzelek (@stf_ncaa)

Prior to the season's start, many prognosticators pegged Sacred Heart atop the Northeast Conference preseason rankings mainly for one reason: Anthony Latina's deepest and most talented squad ever. 

Case in point, in just the four previous games against Division 1 opponents, seven different Pioneers have scored double-digits in at least one of the games, led by junior Tanner Thomas, who has scored double-digits in all but one of these games.

Facing Binghamton, arguably Sacred Heart's toughest opponent since their Division 1 opener against Iona, the Pioneers handedly defeated the Bearcats 89-75. 

Whether it was the school field trips that bussed in hundreds of hopped-up students in attendance for the early opener or the blasting pregame hype music that featured adreniline inducing bangers from Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Aqua and the Frozen soundtrack, the Pioneers were in flow from right off the opening tip, finishing the first half with a 48-to-31 lead.

One of Alex Sobel's (#31) five blocks this afternoon.

Even with fifth-year point-forward Brendan McGuire on the mend, the Pioneers overwhelmed the Bearcats with wave after wave of talent, finishing with five different scorers in double-figures: leading scorer Nico Galette, Tanner Thomas, Aidan Carpenter, Joey Reilly and Alex Sobel.

After nursing an ankle injury from the offseason, Galette has been eased in playing every game off the bench, but his 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting tipped his career total to over 1000 points. Today, he showcased his creativity, strength, versatility and fearlessness, scoring from all over the court and in a variety of ways. 

In his place in the starting lineup, junior Tanner Thomas has been Sacred Heart's most improved player. Formerly a lunchpail glue guy who often led the team in hustle plays, the forward has added another element to his game in his confident ability to handle the ball and look more often to score. 

Thomas' 16 points (4-7 from two, 2-3 from three), along with his 6 rebounds and 2 blocks, is just another example of how he is arguably Latina's important weapon based on how many ways he can make an impact.

Middlebury (D3) grad transfer Alex Sobel continues to impress. In his second straight game matched up against a 6'10 big, Sobel has been unfazed in both ends of the floor. Finishing today's game with 11 points (3-6 from two, 5-6 from free throws), 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a season high 5 blocks, Sobel scored both hands, helped on defense on the high hedge and generally displayed his deep toolbox.

His backup, sophomore Raymond Espinal-Guzman, appears noticeably stronger compared to last year and played poised in his 16 minutes off the bench.

Sacred Heart's Joey Reilly slashing to the basket.

As the Bearcats narrowed the Pioneers' lead early in the second half, fifth-year returnee Joey Reilly and redshirt junior Aidan Carpenter combined their playmaking with controlled leadership in the backcourt. 

Injured in all but five games last season, Carpenter's athleticism and slashing ability provides the Pioneers with a new dimension to their backcourt. Carpenter stepped it up in the second half, draining a three and at one point scoring on dribble-drives in consecutive plays. 

Finishing the game with a 4-2 record, the Pioneers will face on Sunday Saint Joseph's, who are fresh off their overtime scare of Kentucky on Monday.