FAIRFIELD, Conn.-- The Sacred Heart men's basketball team used a strong second half but could not come back, as Stonehill took the Northeast Conference opener, 74-67, at the Pitt Center on Thursday afternoon. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 6-9, 0-1 NEC
Stonehill: 5-10, 1-0 NEC

Top Performers:
Nico Galette: 23 points, 7 rebounds
Mike Sixsmith: 16 points, 4 rebounds
Joey Reilly: 12 points
Tanner Thomas: 7 rebounds, 8 points

Of Note:
After being down by 20 points with 10:13 left in the game, 66-46 Sacred Heart battled to comeback. With 1:15 left, Sixsmith had a three-point play on an and-one situation to bring the Pioneers within nine, 71-62. Both Sixsmith and Galette cut the Skyhawk lead to six, twice, in the final minute, but Stonehill made a free throw with 15 seconds left and was able secure the 74-67 final.

The Pioneers outscored the Skyhawks, 38-23 in the second half, but Stonehill used a 51-29 first half to hold on for their first NEC victory.

Up Next:
Sacred Heart will travel to LIU on Saturday, December 31st, with a 1:00 PM start as they continue conference play.