FAIRFIELD, Conn. – What a difference a day can make. After falling apart in the second half against LIU in Wednesday's Northeast Conference opener, the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team did a complete 180 on Thursday. The Pioneers picked up their first win of the season, 87-72, over the Sharks.

Records:
LIU: 1-1, 1-1, NEC
Sacred Heart: 1-2, 1-1 NEC

Top Performers:
Tyler Thomas (SHU): 23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
Aaron Clarke (SHU): 20 points
Tyrn Flowers (LIU): 23 points, 5 rebounds

Up Next:
Sacred Heart goes on the road Monday and Tuesday to take on Wagner. Game one is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Of Note:
Sacred Heart got out to a fast start, taking a 16-9 lead on an Aaron Clarke jumper at the 11:23 mark. The Sharks fought back to pull ahead 19-18 on a Jermaine Jackson Jr. three-pointer. The Pioneers capped the opening frame on an 8-2 run that was highlighted by Cantavio Dutreil's put back as the half expired to give the Pioneers a 35-31 advantage.

Two free throws by LIU's Jack Ballantyne knotted the game at 45-45 at the 14:14 point of the second half. Matas Spokas got an offensive rebound then converted both free throws to start a 13-3 run that was capped by a Tyler Thomas three pointer. 

LIU would only get the lead under 10 once more the rest of the night, but Alex Watson canned a three-pointer to up the margin to 70-56. Clarke banged home a three-pointer to push the SHU advantage to 77-60 with 3:38 to play.

Sacred Heart played much better on both ends of the floor. The Pioneers canned a season-high 12 three-pointers and only committed 11 turnovers. The hosts limited the Sharks to 33.3 percent from the field.

Leading the way was Thomas as he poured in a career-high 23 points and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Clarke was next with 20 points and Watson added 15. Dutreil notched his third-straight double-digit rebound game with 10 boards.

LIU's Tryn Flowers posted 20 points for the second game in a row with 23 and five boards. Jackson added 20 points.