FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Senior Aaron Clarke led the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team with a season-high 21 points after being absent the last two games, but it wasn't enough as the team fell to Fairfield, 71-61, in the first rivalry matchup at the Pitt Center. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 2-3
Fairfield: 2-2
 
Top Performers:
Aaron Clarke: 21 points, 2 assists
Tyler Thomas: 17 points, 2 assists, 1 steal
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers have a quick turnaround when they head to Stony Brook on Monday, November 22. Tip-off is set for 6:31 p.m. 
 
Of Note:
Fairfield's three-point shooting was too much for the Pioneers as the Stags shot 11-for-31 on the night, including three-straight in the second half to pull away. 
 
Clarke tallied the first eight points for the Pioneers and was responsible for 12 of SHU's 28 first-half points. The senior guard also netted the lone pair of three-pointers for the Red & White in the opening frame. Despite his efforts, the Pioneers trailed, 34-28, at the end of the half. 
 
Graduate student Alex Watson drained a three after the halftime break to spark an 8-0 run. The two-point lead was short-lived as Fairfield heated up from behind the arc and did not look back. 
 
The Stags' outrebounded the Pioneers, 45-33, and grabbed 15 offensive boards which led to 12 second-chance points, compared to SHU's two.  
 
Since adding Clarke back into the rotation, the Pioneers did a good job taking care of the ball as they limited their turnovers to just six. The mark is the best so far this season and the lowest since 2019. 
 
Junior Tyler Thomas was the only other Pioneer to contribute double-figures with 17 off seven-of-19 shooting from the field. 
 
Senior Cantavio Dutreil filled the stat sheet with six points, nine rebounds, and a career-high four blocks. 
 
Sacred Heart drops to 0-8 all-time against Fairfield.