NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Even with 16 days off, the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team showed little signs of rust Wednesday night at Central Connecticut State. The Pioneers used a 13-0 first-half run to take down the Blue Devils, 82-70.

Records:
Central Connecticut State: 4-13, 4-9 NEC
Sacred Heart: 7-6, 7-5 NEC

Top Performers:
Tyler Thomas (SHU): 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
Aaron Clarke (SHU): 17 points
Matas Spokas (SHU): 13 points

Up Next:
Sacred Heart stays on the road this weekend when it travels to St. Francis Brooklyn for games on Saturday and Sunday.

Of Note:
Myles Baker knocked down a three-pointer with 7:45 remaining in the first half to pull the Blue Devils within 24-21. Tyler Thomas scored six of his game-high 18 points over the next five minutes as the Pioneers established a 37-21 advantage.

Aaron Clarke's three-point play gave SHU a 42-26 advantage going into the half. The rest of the game CCSU would only get the deficit down to 11 which came five minutes into the second half. The margin got as high as 20, 59-39, on Bryce Johnson's layup at the 12:02 mark.

For the second time in four games, the Pioneers scored 82 points and shot 50 percent from the floor. SHU was also able to get to the free throw line frequently, making more free throws, 19-of-24, than the Blue Devils took, 7-of-9.

Four Pioneers reached double figures topped by Thomas who also had team-highs of eight rebounds and four assists. Clarke was next with 17 to go along with 13 from Matas Spokas and 10 more out of Johnson.