FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team won a program-record 19th game on SAturday, defeating Northeast Conference foe, Long Island University, 76-67. The Pioneers are 19-12 on the year and 12-6 in league play, while the Sharks fall to 14-17 overall and 9-9 in NEC play.

The Pioneers collected 54 rebound, compared to the Sharks 24. Sacred Heart had 18 offensive rebounds in the win. 

1st Half (33-30 SHU)

• A quick three from the Sharks gave them an early 3-0 lead, but a step back three from Aaron Clarke tied the game at 3 all
• A three from the Pioneers E.J. Anosike helped take the lead 6-5
• The Sharks would go on a 9-2 run to lead 14-8 at the 14:04 mark
• A layup from Koreen Ozier stopped the bleeding and sparked a Pioneer 5-2 run, 16-13
• Two consecutive blocks stopped a long offensive series by LIU
• Each team traded several scoreless series until the Sharks went on a 4-0 run at the 9:00 mark, 23-13
• A big three-point play from E.J. Anosike ended the scoring drought and sparked a 9-0 run by the Pioneers, fueled by layups from Tyler Thomas, Aaron Clarke and E.J. Anosike, 23-22
• Anosike scored a jumper to take the lead, 24-23, the Sharks countered with a 3-0 run regaining the lead
• A wide open three from LaRose gave the Pioneers a two-point cushion, 30-28
• Sacred Heart ended the half on a 5-2 run to lead 33-30 heading into halftime

2nd Half (76-67 SHU)

• The Pioneers started the half with a three-point play from LaRose, 36-32
• A silky layup from Ozier cushioned Sacred Hearts advantage but a wide open three from the Sharks tied the game at 38 all
• The Pioneers would go on a 7-point run on the back of a layup from Anosike, LaRose and a three by Clarke to force a LIU timeout, 45-38
• Minutes later Sacred Heart went on an 8-0 run to lead 57-43. Fueled by two Clarke threes and a layup from Anosike
• The Sharks went on a 6-0 run reducing the hosts lead, 59-49
• A 7-0 run from LIU, five from charity strip and a layup from Virshon Cotton, helped chip away at the Pioneers lead, 59-56
• Good floater from Ozier ended the Pioneers scoring drought, 61-56
• Two made free throw and a three pointer from Cotton tied the game at 61 all
• A big dunk by Spellman gave the Pioneers the lead followed by a three pointer from LaRose, 66-61
• Four Clutch free throws from Clarke increased Sacred Heart lead, 70-64
• A layup from Spellman and four made free throws from Anosike and Clarke gave the Pioneers a nine-point cushion with under a minute to go to seal the 76-67 win

Notes

• The Pioneers out rebounded the Shark 54-24 including 18 offensive boards
• Aaron Clarke set a season-high scoring 23 points shooting 6-for-12, two rebounds and three assists
• E.J. Anosike collected a double-double with 20 points, 17 rebounds and had six assists on the night
• Anosike recorded his 17th double-double of the season
• Senior Jare'l Spellman scored 9 points, registered a career-high 17 rebounds and a team-high six blocks

Next Game

Sacred Heart will host a first-round of the NEC tournament against Mount St. Mary's, Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00 pm. The game will air on SNY and NEC Front Row.