FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Sacred Heart used a blistering first half to forge a big lead and the Pioneers (4-2) held off visiting Binghamton men's basketball (3-3) 89-75 in a rare morning game Tuesday at the Pitt Center. The loss snapped BU's three-game win streak.  

The Pioneers, preseason favorites in the NEC, used a 26-8 run spanning 8+ minutes to stretch an early 12-11 lead into a 38-19 cushion. Sacred Heart shot well over 60 percent for most of the half and extended its lead to 21 points before BU scored the last four points to bring it deficit back to 17, 48-31 at half.

In the second half, the Bearcats mounted a rally, reducing their deficit to just five, 72-67, with 5:50 left, thanks to a 19-9 run. Senior guard Tymu Chenery scored seven of his 19 second-half points during the run. But Sacred Heart responded with a 3-pointer and a steal and the ensuing 8-2 host run ended BU's comeback bid.  

"We've had good starts so far this season with defensive intensity and execution but today it was the exact opposite," head coach Levell Sanders said. "Defensively we weren't connected and locked in and that gave them the ability to score, especially inside. We also had a lot of missed layups, open shots and free throws that could've helped us get back into the game. That's how the game goes sometimes … but we didn't give ourselves a chance because we gave up way too many points. We have to be smarter with fouls and get back to defending the way we know how to."

Chenery matched his career high with a game-high 21 points. Graduate guard Dan Petcash scored 12 points and the tandem of seniors Tariq Balogun and Nehemiah Benson added 10 points apiece.

Graduate forward and team tri-captain Armon Harried reached a personal milestone early the game when he converted a driving layup to reach 1,000 career points. Harried played his first three collegiate seasons at Canisius before transferring to Binghamton last season.  

Binghamton, which came in shooting 47 percent on the season, missed nine of its first 10 shots and struggled to 39 percent shooting in the opening period. Graduate point guard Symir Torrence, America East assists leader (6.4/game), was whistled for two fouls in the opening 1:38 and a third midway through and was limited to four minutes in the decisive first half and 18 minutes for the game. Torrence still contributed five assists and six rebounds.

The Bearcats hurt their cause by shooting 4-of-20 from 3-point range and missing 10 free throws in the game.  

After Thanksgiving, the Bearcats welcome Army to the Events Center for a Saturday afternoon game. Tip is 2 p.m. from Dr. Bai Lee Court.