| MATCHUP | Sacred Heart Pioneers | Niagara Purple Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 5-9 | 3-9 |
| Spread | -4.5 -102 | +4.5 -118 |
| Moneyline | -185 | +154 |
| Total | Over 143.5 (-105) | Under 143.5 (-115) |
| Where | Gallagher Center, Niagara Falls, NY | |
| When | Friday, January 2, 2026 | |
| Time | 04:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Niagara Purple Eagles Preview
Niagara Purple Eagles have a 3-9 record this season and are sitting in a tie for 10th place of the MAAC. They have a 2-1 home record and are coming off an 81-58 home win against Hofstra. Their previous three games were a 58-84 away loss against VCU, an 73-81 away loss against Morgan State and a 43-71 away loss against Saint Peter’s.
Offensively, Niagara averages 62.8 points per game, while allowing 75 points per game defensively. The Purple Eagles shoot with 42% from the field and grab 28.2 rebounds per game, while dishing out 13.1 assists per game. They average 3.1 blocks per game and 6.2 steals per game defensively.
Jalen Page leads Niagara in scoring, with an average of 10.9 points per game, while shooting with 38.1% from the field and 75% from the free throw line. Jose Sabino is the team’s leading rebounder with 4 per game, while Jalen Page also leads the team with 2.7 assists per game.
Sacred Heart Pioneers Preview
Sacred Heart Pioneers have a 5-9 record this season and are sitting in a tie for 8th place of the MAAC. They have a 2-7 away record and are coming off an 80-72 home win against Merrimack. Their previous three games were a 47-72 away loss against Towson, an 85-63 home win against Dartmouth and an 82-87 away loss against UMass Lowell.
Offensively, Sacred Heart averages 75.6 points per game, while allowing 77.8 points per game defensively. The Pioneers shoot with 43% from the field and grab 35.8 rebounds per game, while dishing out 15.4 assists per game. They average 2.2 blocks per game and 7.6 steals per game defensively.
De’Vaughn Gittens leads Sacred Heart in scoring, with an average of 15.0 points per game, while shooting with 55.4% from the field and 78.2% from the free throw line. De’Vaughn Gittens is also the team’s leading rebounder with 5.4 per game, while Michael Conner adds a team-high 6.1 assists per game.
Sacred Heart Pioneers @ Niagara Purple Eagles Betting Trends: January 2, 2026
Why the Niagara Purple Eagles will win
- The home team has won each of Niagara’s last five games.
- Sacred Heart has lost five of its last six day games against Conference opponents.
- The home team has won the first half in each of Niagara’s last five games.
Why the Sacred Heart Pioneers will win
- Niagara has lost each of its last 11 home day games against Conference opponents.
- Sacred Heart has won each of its last three road games following a home loss.
- Niagara has lost the first half in each of its last six home day games against Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Sacred Heart’s last eight day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 145+ points.
- Five of Niagara’s last six games have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
Sacred Heart vs Niagara Prediction
In this Sacred Heart vs Niagara Prediction, Sacred Heart is coming as -4.5 road favorites. Sacred Heart has been the better team this season, as they have a better overall record, but have been struggling on the road. Both teams are coming into this matchup in bad form, as they are 1-8 and 1-3 in their last 9 and 4 games respectively, but Niagara has been terrible against the spread, with a 3-8 record this season. I don’t like either side in this matchup, but Niagara has a terrible offense and I expect a low-scoring game today. Take the under 143.5 points.