STATEN ISLAND, NY – Aaron Clarke made a free throw with 3.9 seconds remaining and Elijah Ford's shot at the buzzer was off the mark to give the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team the win on Tuesday. The Pioneers bounced back to beat Wagner College, 86-85, in double overtime.

Records:
Wagner: 1-4, 1-3 NEC
Sacred Heart: 2-3, 2-2 NEC

Top Performers:
Tyler Thomas (SHU): 27 points, 5 rebounds
Matas Spokas (SHU): 18 points, 7 rebounds
Mike Sixsmith (SHU): 13 points

Up Next:
Sacred Heart is off until January 7 when it travels to Merrimack for a two-game NEC swing.

Of Note:
Sacred Heart held the lead for most of the game, but Ford's layup with four seconds remaining tied the game at 68-68. Clarke's heave at the buzzer missed the mark, sending the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, the Seahawks took a 75-70 advantage on a Ford layup. Tyler Thomas came through with a pair of free throws then Alex Watson got a defensive rebound and canned a three-pointer with just nine seconds left. Ford had a good look at the game-winner, but it bounced off the rim and pushed the game to a second extra period.

During the second OT, the Pioneers opened a four-point lead, 85-81, on a Thomas three-ball. Wagner got a layup and two free throws from Ford to knot the game at 85-85. On the ensuing SHU possession, Clarke was fouled as he drove the lane. He made the first from the charity stripe, but missed the second. Ford drove down the court and just missed from the top of the arc.

For the second NEC series in a row, the Pioneers played much better in game two. The Pioneers shot 44.4 percent, compared to 29.6 percent on Monday, and made nine more three-pointers.

The win was SHU's first in overtime since beating Maine, 69-68, on November 19, 2017.

Thomas topped 20 points for the second time this week as he dropped a career-high 27 points on 11-of-23 shooting with five rebounds and three assists. Forward Matas Spokas had a season-high 18 points plus seven boards and fellow rookie Mike Sixsmith added 13.

Ford led all players with 29 points and Alex Morales added 20.