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The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team returns to the William H. Pitt Center on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Pioneers look to snap a two-game losing streak and extend their win streak at home to four.
OPENING TIP
- The two teams meet for the first time this season after splitting the series a year ago in Brooklyn. Despite the loss to open the series last year, Sacred Heart has taken four of the last five meetings and haven't lost a game in Fairfield since 2017, 73-68.
- Tyler Thomas and Aaron Clarke led the Pioneers in scoring against the Terriers last season. Thomas averaged 23.5 and netted 29 in game one, while Clarke averaged 20 and tallied 21 in game two.
- Clarke enters Thursday after dropping a career-high 26 points and matching his career-best in assists with eight.
- Sacred Heart looks to snap a two-game losing streak as they dropped a pair of road contests at Mount St. Mary's (98-59) and Saint Francis (85-74). The Pioneers are 4-3 when playing at the Pitt Center and 3-9 when on the road.
TURNING THE AC ON
Aaron Clarke posts seven-straight double-digit scoring performances and led the Pioneers in scoring in four of the games during the streak thanks to back-to-back 21 points performances and a career-high 26 at Saint Francis. Clarke is also the best free throw shooter in the NEC at 88.6% and leads in total free throws made at 70. In the last six games, Clarke is 44-for-47 from the line. The senior is also sharing the wealth as he averages 4.5 assists against the NEC and has dished out three or more assists in eight of the last nine appearances.
DEFENSE IS KEY
Sacred Heart is 7-0 when holding opponents to 1.0 points per possession or less and 0-11 on the latter. At Mount St. Mary's, the Pioneers allowed 1.48 points per possession and 1.3 at SFU, compared to just 0.97 points per possession in last week's two-win weekend against CCSU and FDU. SHU is 5-0 when keeping opponents under 70 points and 2-12 when allowing more than 70.
