FAIRFIELD, Conn.— The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team fell 74-66 to the University at Albany on Wednesday morning, suffering the Pioneers' first home loss. Tanner Thomas returned to the lineup, leading three players in double figures with 16 points.  

Records:
Sacred Heart: 4-7, (1-1 MAAC)
UAlbany:  7-6, (0-0 AE)

Leaders:
Tanner Thomas: 16 points, 9 rebounds
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 13 points
Bryce Johnson: 10 points, 7 rebounds

Of Note:
UAlbany jumped ahead with a five-point six and half minutes into the game but Sacred Heart was able to tie it up at 13-13 at 10:56. A three-pointer from Nyle Ralph-Beyer gave the Pioneers their first lead of the game, 16-15 and Amiri Stewart made a pair of free throws to extend the advantage to three. The Great Danes pulled within one, twice, but four straight points from Ralph-Beyer and Thomas gave SHU a five-point edge, 24-19, at 6:27.

UAlbany cut its deficit to three, but four straight points from Raymond Espinal-Guzman and Bryce Johnson gave the Pioneers a 28-21 lead with just over five minutes to play in the opening frame. SHU led by four or more points through the remainder of the half, taking a 34-30 edge at the break. Ralph-Beyer went 4-for-6 from the field for 10 points in the first half.  

Sacred Heart maintained at least a four or more-point lead through the opening of the second half. After a 47-41 lead for SHU, UAlbany scored a pair of triples sparking a 10-0 run that pushed the visitors ahead, 51-47, at 10:20. The Great Danes led by as many as five before a Mekhi Conner three-pointer pulled SHU within one with 3:52 left in the game. However, UAlbany scored seven straight to jump ahead, 71-63. Ralph-Beyer hit a triple with 21 seconds left to play to cut the deficit to five, but the Great Danes made three free throws to take the 74-66 final.

Up Next:
Sacred Heart will travel to Miami University (OH) on Sunday, December 22, at 1:00 pm for their second consecutive non-conference game.