FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) -Chauncey Hardy scored 18 points and three others reached double figures as Sacred Heart beat Monmouth 81-73 on Saturday in the Northeast Conference opener for both teams.
Corey Hasssan added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Pioneers. Ryan Litke and Mehmet Sahan each scored 13.
The Pioneers (4-3) led 41-16 in the first half on the strength of 60 percent field goal shooting (17-for-27). A big portion of that lead was built by a 20-2 Pioneers' run capped by a Jerrell Thompson layup with 10:40 to play in the half.
The Hawks (2-6) went 12:06 in the first half without a field goal.
The Hawks trimmed the lead to 69-64 with 3:35 to play after runs of 13-2 and 10-5. The Pioneers' defense stiffened and the Hawks got no closer the rest of the way.
Whitney Coleman scored 26 points for the Hawks to lead all scorers. Travis Taylor and Will Campbell added 14 points apiece.
