NEWARK, N.J. – A slow first half sealed the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team's fate on Tuesday night in Newark. The Pioneers erased a 24-point deficit but couldn't hold on as they fell, 75-70, at NJIT. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 2-5
NJIT: 3-3 
 
Top Performers:
Tyler Thomas: 29 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals
Aaron Clarke: 11 points, 6 assists
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers have a quick turnaround when they head to Lafayette on Thursday, December 2 at 7 p.m.
 
Of Note:
The Pioneers had trouble putting the ball in the basket as they shot four-of-22 in the first 15 minutes to help the Highlanders grow to their largest lead of the night at 24 points, 31-7. However, SHU started to come alive in the final five minutes of the half, netting six of their last eight shots. 
 
Sacred Heart carried its hot streak into the second half as they exploded on a 15-3 run between the two frames to pull within five, 39-34. 
 
A pair of steals in back-to-back possessions sparked a six-point swing as Tyler Thomas capped it off with a three to turn it into a four-point game, 63-59, with under six minutes to play. The Pioneers capitalized on the energy when a floater from Thomas to even the score with 1:30 remaining. 
 
The spark wasn't enough as the Highlanders tallied the last five points before the final buzzer. 
 
Despite shooting just 29.4% (10-34) from the field in the first half, Sacred Heart finished the game at 41% (25-61) thanks to a 55.6% shooting performance in the second half. 
 
Aaron Clarke and Thomas were the lone Pioneers to tally double digits. Thomas posted a season-high 29 points with 12 coming from behind the arc. Clarke contributed 11 points and was one assist shy of matching his career-high with six.