KINGSTON, R.I. – Despite Tyler Thomas pouring in a season-high 30 points, the University of Rhode Island came from behind to top the Sacred Heart University men's basketball team, 72-62, on Tuesday night at the Ryan Center. The Pioneer defense held the Rams to just 29 first-half points before URI poured in 43 to close out the game. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 3-7
Rhode Island: 7-3
 
Top Performers:
Tyler Thomas: 30 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
Alex Watson: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals
Joey Reilly: 8 points, 7 assists

Up Next:
Sacred Heart takes a six-day break before hitting the road for its sixth-straight road contest at Columbia on December 13 at 8 p.m. 
 
Of Note:
Thomas netted 11 of SHU's first 13 points as the Pioneers jumped to a 13-7 lead before the first media break. Rhode Island chipped away but SHU held on with a two-point advantage at halftime, 31-29. 
 
Five minutes into the second half, URI netted seven unanswered points to grab a six-point advantage that SHU could not recover from. With two minutes remaining, the Rams grew to their largest lead of the night, 69-56. Tonight's game marked the first time this season that Sacred Heart allowed a come-from-behind win after leading at the half. 
 
The Rams started heating up in the second half after not being allowed a single three in the first. URI shot zero-for-five in the first 20 minutes but went five-of-seven in the final frame. Despite the cool three-point shooting, Rhode Island found a way to score with 46 of its 72 points coming from the paint. The Rams also gave the Pioneers trouble on the glass as they grabbed 13 points off 13 offensive boards. SHU was outrebounded, 36-24. 
 
Thomas is the first Pioneer to contribute 30 points in a single game this season. The junior shot 10-of-18 from the field and matched his career-high of seven three's (7-14). The last time Thomas netted seven threes was at Merrimack last season when he notched his career-high of 36 points. 
 
Graduate student Alex Watson was the only other Pioneer to post double digits. Watson added 14 points and led the team with three steals coming off the bench.
 
Joey Reilly rejoined the starting lineup in Aaron Clarke's absence and dished out a career-high seven assists. The Holy Cross transfer was SHU's third-leading scorer on the night with eight as he shot three-of-eight from the field and two-of-six from behind the arc.