PISCATAWAY, N.J. – An inexperienced Sacred Heart University men's basketball team hung in early at Rutgers University on Wednesday, but the No. 23 Scarlet Knights proved to be too much for the Pioneers. Rutgers pulled away midway through the first half on its way to an 86-63 decision. 

Records:
Rutgers: 0-1
Sacred Heart: 1-0

Top Performers:
Aaron Clarke (SHU): 17 Points, 4 Assists, 3 Steals
Mike Sixsmith (SHU): 11 Points
Cantavio Dutreil (SHU): 11 Rebounds, 4 Points.

Of Note:
Sacred Heart spotted the Scarlet Knights a 6-0 lead as the visitors missed their first eight shots. Junior guard Aaron Clarke got the Pioneers on the board with a three-pointer at the 14:23 mark.

Rookie Mike Sixsmith hit the first shot of his collegiate career to pull the Pioneers within 12-11 with 9:25 to play. That's as close as Sacred Heart would get the rest of the night as the Scarlet Knights took a 40-25 advantage into the half. 

Rutgers got out to a fast start in the second half, growing the lead to 20 (50-3) for the first time just 2:23 into the second stanza.   

Picking up where he left off last season was Clark as he produced a team-high 17 points on 7-of-18 shooting. A pair of newcomers played well in their collegiate debut. Sixsmith followed Clarke with 11 points while Matas Spokas tossed in 10.

Keeping the Pioneers in the game was their three-point shooting as they knocked down nine. SHU limited Rutgers to just one three-pointers.

The Scarlet Knights' size advantage was too much for the Pioneers to overcome. Rutgers shot 60.6 percent from the floor, had a 46-31 rebounding advantage and 72-32 points in the paint margin.

Up Next:
The Pioneers play their first home game of the season Sunday when they host crosstown rival Fairfield University at 4 p.m.