Box Score FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team erased a double-digit deficit late in the second half thanks to a 12-2 run, but the push came just a little too late as the Pioneers dropped a 71-66 decision to St. Francis Brooklyn at home on Thursday night. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 7-13, 4-4
St. Francis Brooklyn: 6-14, 3-6
 
Top Performers:
Cantavio Dutreil: 13 points, 7 rebounds
Tyler Thomas: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Bryce Johnson: 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists 
 
Up Next:
Sacred Heart remains at home on Saturday at 2 p.m. against Merrimack. 
 
Of Note:
The Pioneers are typically a three-point heavy squad but found themselves cold against the Terriers. Sacred Heart shot just 1-of-9 from long distance until midway through the second half. Despite the low outside shooting percentages, the Pioneers only trailed by four at the halftime break as St. Francis Brooklyn posted nearly identical field goal shooting marks. The Terriers finished the first half 14-of-32 but were 4-of-12 from behind the arc, while the Pioneers went 14-for-33 from the field. 
 
With the game within two following the under 16 break, St. Francis Brooklyn embarked on a 10-2 run to grow a double-digit cushion in the second half. A Tyler Thomas three halted the run, but the Terriers responded with a slam in transition for their largest lead of the night, 57-45, at the 8:32 mark. 
 
The Pioneers quickly responded to the run and clawed their way back into the game. SHU started to heat up from downtown when the ball swung around the perimeter to Joey Reilly who's three sparked a 12-2 run to pull within two, 64-62, with less than two minutes remaining. However, turnovers in back-to-back possessions sealed the fate of the Pioneers. 
 
Due to the low three-point shooting, the Pioneers posted 36 of their 66 points from the paint. The usually guard-heavy squad was led tonight by their big men. Cantavio Dutreil came off the bench to lead the Red & White with 13 points and seven rebounds while Bryce Johnson chipped in 12 points and seven boards. Junior guard Tyler Thomas matched Dutreil with 13 as he netted six points in the final four minutes.
 
Not to be overlooked, graduate student Alex Watson pulled down a career-high six rebounds. The most notable is that all six came from the offensive end of the floor and contributed to SHU's 20 second-chance points. Sacred Heart finished the game with 36 rebounds, 13 of which were offensive, compared to St. Francis Brooklyn's 26.