FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A slow start led to a seven-point loss to in-state foe Hartford as the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team dropped its fifth game to an America East opponent this season. The Pioneers fell, 78-71, on Wednesday afternoon and close out their non-conference schedule with a 4-9 mark. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 4-9
Hartford: 2-10
 
Top Performers:
Aaron Clarke: 23 points, 4 assists
Nico Galette: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Tyler Thomas: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers kick off Northeast Conference play after the holiday break on December 29 when they welcome LIU for a 7 p.m. meeting. 
 
Of Note:
The Pioneers got off to a slow start as Joey Reilly ended the five-minute scoring drought with a three at the 14:33 mark. Sacred Heart wasn't alone as both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket in the first 20 minutes. It was practically even in the first half as the teams both tallied eight turnovers apiece and each attempted 31 field goals. However, Sacred Heart came out of the half with a one-point advantage, 28-27. 
 
The second half saw nine lead changes, and a much higher scoring output from both squads. Sacred Heart trailed by just three before the final media timeout with four minutes remaining. Coming out of the break, Hartford outscored SHU, 14-10, with eight points coming from the stripe before reaching the final score. 
 
Hartford took advantage of SHU's seven turnovers in the second half by converting them into 12 points. The second half also saw a combined 36 free throw attempts. Despite the Pioneers shooting a perfect 14-for-14, the Hawks grabbed 17 second half points from the line off 17-of-22 shooting. 
 
After being held to just three points in the first half, Aaron Clarke poured in 20 during the final 20 minutes shooting 11-for-11 from the foul line. Clarke was one point shy of his career-best as he posted his third 20-point performance this year. 
 
Sophomore Nico Galette saw his third-straight double-digit scoring performance with 14 off four-of-nine shooting from the field. Galette pulled down seven rebounds and shot five-for-five from the stripe. 
 
Despite only adding three points, sophomore Mike Sixsmith found other ways to contribute. Sixsmith dished out a season-high five assists and grabbed a career-best six rebounds. He led the team with three on the offensive glass. 
 
Today's win gives Hartford the all-time series record, 6-5.