FAIRFIELD, Conn. –  With nine new players, including eight rookies, the Northeast Conference coaches didn't think much of the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team as they picked the Pioneers last in the preseason poll. After a 70-64 defeat of Fairleigh Dickinson – who was voted to win the league – on Friday SHU is on the verge of making the conference tournament. 

Records:
Fairleigh Dickinson: 9-15, 8-10 NEC
Sacred Heart: 9-8, 9-7 NEC

Top Performers:
Aaron Clarke (SHU): 16 points, 5 assists
Cantavio Dutreil (SHUJ): 8 points, 10 rebounds
Brandon Rush (FDU): 20 points, 8 rebound

Of Note:
Sacred Heart now waits for the outcome of the rest of the remaining NEC games. If all the games are played, the Pioneers are locked into one of the final two playoff spots. Should Mount St. Mary's not be able to play its series at Bryant, the Bulldogs would come to the Pitt Center for two games.

SHU's postseason hopes were almost dashed as it blew a nine-point halftime lead. Zach Radz's layup at the 13:37 mark was Sacred Heart's only points for the first 10 minutes of the second half as FDU built a 44-37 lead.

The Knights' lead grew to 49-40, but Alex Watson drained a three-pointer that started a 10-2 run that was capped by an Aaron Clarke free throw. 

Rookie Mike Sixsmith knocked down a three-pointer with 4:20 left in the game to give the Pioneers a 57-55 lead it would not relinquish.

Clarke made a layup with 2:14 left to extend the SHU lead to 64-59 then Watson's reverse layup with 32 seconds remaining sealed the victory. 

Four Pioneers reached double figures, topped by Clarke who scored 11 of his 16 points in the second half. Sixsmith scored 13 points off the bench. Cantavio Dutreil just missed a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.

As has been the case this year, Sacred Heart played much better defense in the second game of the two-game NEC series. SHU limited the Knights to 37.3 percent shooting after a 54.7 rate in the opener.

FDU's Brandon Rush led all players with 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Elyjah Williams had nine points and 10 boards.