FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Sophomore guard Kellen Amos poured in a career-high 26 points to pace visiting Binghamton men's basketball (1-1) to a 72-60 win over Sacred Heart (1-2) Sunday afternoon at the William H. Pitt Center. The win, BU's first of the season, also was the first NCAA victory for first-year head coach Levell Sanders.

With Amos leading the way, BU exploded on a 28-6 run that spanned 7+ minutes midway through the second half. The surge turned a 42-41 deficit into a 69-48 cushion with 5:30 left. Meanwhile, the Bearcats won the rebound battle and held their hosts to just 38 percent shooting.

"We have to hang our hat on defense and hold teams in the 60s," Sanders said. "We did that today and that's the reason why we won."

Amos netted 18 of his game-high total in the second stanza, when the Bearcats shot a sizzling 60 percent from the field. For the game, Amos hit 10-of-13 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.

"Kellen had a great game," Sanders said. "He stepped up. I've said all along he's super talented and has the opportunity to really help us. He gave us a lift on offense and also on defense with his length." 

Sophomore guard John McGriff added 15 points – 11 in the decisive second half.  

The Bearcats shook off a slow start and finished the first half on a 14-0 run to take a 33-28 lead into break. Down 28-19 with 3:57 left, Amos keyed the run with eight points and BU hit 14-of-24 (58%) over the last 15 minutes to claim the halftime lead.  

Binghamton next plays the middle game of three straight on the road when BU hits Manhattan for a Wednesday night matchup with Ivy League member Columbia.