FAIRFIELD, Conn.-- Bryce Johnson scored a season-high 22 points, leading the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team to a 67-54 victory over Marist on Friday evening at home in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action. With the win, the Pioneers clinched a spot in the MAAC tournament. 

Tanner Thomas also scored in double figures with 16 as SHU won its first home game of the weekend. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 13-15, (9-8 MAAC)
Marist: 20-6, (13-4 MAAC) 

Leaders:
Bryce Johnson: 22 points, seven rebounds 
Tanner Thomas: 16 points, 8 rebounds  

Of Note:
Marist quickly jumped ahead with a 12-5 lead through the opening five and a half minutes of play, but a three-pointer for Mekhi Conner at 14:13 sparked an exciting 20-0 run, capped by a triple for Tanner Thomas at 10:29 to give SHU a 25-12 edge. 

Marist was able to pull within seven, but three straight points for the Pioneers put the home team ahead by double figures once again. The Red Foxes made a jumper in the final minute to cut the deficit to eight as Sacred Heart led 32-24 heading into the break. 

Through the opening five minutes of the second half, Marist pulled within five, but a Nyle Ralph-Beyer three-point and-one play and a Johnson dunk pushed the Pioneers back ahead by 10, 39-29. 

SHU held a nine-point edge at 10:11, but Marist scored six straight points to pull within three, 48-45. However, Sacred Heart fought back and went on a 7-0 run, capped by a highlight reel and one for Conner, to extend the Pios lead by 10. 

After a Marist jumper cut the visitors deficit to eight, Johnson hit a three-pointer, sparking a 7-0 run, all coming from Johnson, to put Sacred Heart ahead 64-49. 

The Red Foxes pulled within 12 in the final two minutes, but Sacred Heart held them off to take the 67-54 final. 

The Pios outrebounded Marist 38-37 and shot 38.7% (24-62) from the field. Johnson went 8-12 from the field, 5-9 from the charity stripe, and 1-2 from three-point range for his 22 points. Thomas was 6-14 from the field and 2-6 from behind the arc. 

Up Next: 
Sacred Heart will play its final home game of the season on Sunday, March 2, hosting Fairfield at 2 pm for Senior Day.