Feb. 21, 2006

Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) - Luke Granato, making his second start of the season, scored a game-high 21 points and Kibwe Trim added 18 points and 11 rebounds as Sacred Heart beat St. Francis, N.Y., 81-73 Tuesday night.

It was just Sacred Heart's second victory in its last nine games, but it was important.

The Pioneers (11-15, 8-9 Northeast Conference) moved past St. Francis (10-15, 7-9 NEC) and into a tie for sixth place in the conference. The top eight teams make the NEC tournament, and SHU has done so just once in six years.

Granato, who scored 15 in the first half, hit five 3-pointers. Jarrid Frye added 17 points and six rebounds.

Allan Sheppard led four Terriers in double figures with 18 points.

Sacred Heart dominated the first half. Granato scored seven points during a 15-0 run that gave the Pioneers a 21-7 lead. A Ryon Howard hoop later in the half put SHU ahead 36-16.

The Pioneers led 53-32 in the second half before St. Francis got back in the game with a 17-2 run aided by pressure defense. A 3-pointer by Sean Dantzler cut SHU's lead to 55-49.

But the Pioneers responded with seven points in a row to regain command.