ALBANY, N.Y.-- Tanner Thomas scored a career-high 30 points as the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team fell to Siena 93-75 on the road Thursday evening in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action. Thomas and Bryce Johnson were the two Pioneers who scored in double figures.

Thomas is the first Pioneer to score 30 or more points since his brother Tyler Thomas had 30 against URI on Dec. 7, 2021. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 6-11, (2-4 MAAC)
Siena: 8-9, (3-3 MAAC) 

Leaders:
Tanner Thomas: 30 points, 7 rebounds
Bryce Johnson: 13 points, 6 rebounds

Of Note:
In the second half, Siena used a strong surge to come from behind and take the home victory over the Pioneers. SHU led by as many as eight in the second, but the Saints used a 10-2 run to tie the game, 51-51. The Pios answered with six straight points to take a 57-51 lead. At 12:05, Thomas' jumper put SHU ahead by three, 61-58, but that would be the last time the Pioneers had the edge. 

An Amiri Stewart dunk tied the game, 65-65, but the Saints went on a 10-0 run to take a 75-65 lead. Thomas took advantage of an and-one play, to pull the Pioneers within eight with 4:22 left in the game, but Siena took control of the game from there, going on to take the 93-75 final.  

Sacred Heart had a strong first half, leading by as many as 12. After a two-point advantage, a Bryce Johnson triple sparked an 8-0 run, capped by a Griffin Barrouk three-pointer to give the Pioneers a 16-6 lead at 13:46. A Johnson layup gave SHU a 12-point edge at 10:19 in the first. 

Siena pulled within four 32-28, but Sacred Heart held on to the lead to hold a 46-39 lead at the half. 

Thomas shot 66% (14-21) from the field en route to his 30-point performance. Johnson was 4-for-7 from the field and 4-for-6 from the free throw line for his double-figure night. 

Up Next: 
Sacred Heart returns home on Saturday, January 18, at 2:00 pm, taking on St. Peter's in the William H. Pitt Center.