FAIRFIELD, C.T. - The St. Francis Brooklyn men's basketball team closed out its three game road trip in Fairfield, taking Sacred Heart for the first time this season.
With a new career high performance from Michael Cubbage, the Terriers (6-14, 3-6 NEC) knocked off the Pioneers (7-12, 3-15 NEC).
Cubbage led all players with 21 points on 9 of 13 shooting.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Tedrick Wilcox Jr. opened the scoring in the contest with a step back three pointer at the top of the key for an early 3-0 lead. The Terriers opened the game on a 7-2 run in the first 3:13.
Points were at a premium in the first half with the two teams combining to shoot less than 30% from the field.
With 10:40 to play, the Terriers looked to extend their two point lead, as Bahaïde Haïdara picked off the inbounds pass and took it the down the floor for a ferocious dunk
SFBK led for the first 16:19.
After relinquishing the lead for the first time all night, Larry Moreno would immediately respond with a step back three of his own to retake the advantage, 26-24, with 3:19 to play.
The Terriers went to the locker room with a 34-30 lead.
St. Francis came out swinging as Cubbage scored the Terriers first four points of the second half, extending their lead out to 48-40 with 12:53 to go in the second half.
An 8-0 run would get the visitors to a double digit lead, 50-40 for the first time in the game, with 11:52 to play
SHU cut the St. Francis lead to seven points with 8:32 remaining in regulation, but Michael Cubbage scored a dagger three at the end of the shot clock with a defender in his face to get it back to 10 points. On the ensuing Pioneer possession, Larry Moreno would grab the ball and assist Cubbage on a dunk to give SFBK a 12 point lead, 57-45.
The Pioneers found their shooting form late in the game, scoring five straight points and cutting the lead to 64-62 with 1:54 remaining.
Sacred Heart turned the ball over with 1:25 to play and the Terriers took advantage. Rob Higgins set up at the top of the key, leaving the ball for Emilien who flew to the basket for a layup to extend the lead, 66-62.
Looking to get themselves back in to the game, SHU put the visitors on the free throw line three times in the final minute, and the Terriers hit five of their six shots from the line to secure the victory.
TEAM LEADERS
Michael Cubbage set a new career high with 21 points on Thursday night on 9-13 (69.2%) shooting from the field. Cubbage added four assists and three rebounds in his 31 minutes on the floor.
Patrick Emilien matched his second-best scoring performance of the season with 18 points, adding two blocks and two steals.
Rob Higgins led all players with six assists, tacking on 15 points and one steal.
Jack Hemphill tied for most rebounds among all players with seven boards. He matched his career high with two blocks and contributed eight points in the win.
NEXT UP: The Terriers return home to Brooklyn Heights to close out the weekend with a Saturday afternoon battle against NEC leaders Wagner. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. The game will stream live on NEC Front Row.
