FAIRFIELD, CONN. ? Monmouth dropped a 74-62 decision at Sacred Heart University in Northeast Conference men's basketball action on Thursday night. With the loss, Monmouth falls to 5-18 overall, and 2-9 in the conference. SHU improves to 14-10 overall and 11-2 in the league.

The Hawks grabbed an early 5-2 edge when Whitney Coleman drained a wing three-pointer, but the Pioneers, started by back back-to-back threes from Chauncey Hardy, registered an 11-0 run to take a 13-5 lead with 14:41 left.

SHU increased the run to 21-3 over a span of 8:23 to collect a 23-8 advantage with 9:13 remaining in the half. The Pioneers increased the lead to 32-13 with 5:24 left in the opening stanza, after consecutive treys from Hardy and Luke Granato.

Monmouth chipped into the lead by six, making the score 32-19 with just over three minutes remaining, but the Pioneers outscored the Hawks 8-5 over the final three minutes of action to hold a 40-24 edge at the break.

After SHU pushed the lead to 44-24 out of the intermission, Monmouth scored the next 14 points to make the score 44-38 with 14:09 remaining. Yaniv Simpson's two three-pointers sparked the run for the Hawks, as the Hawks held SHU scoreless for 5:41.

Simpson's third trey of the half made the tally 46-41 with 12:39 left, but the Hawks managed just two Coleman free throws over the next 2:50, while SHU built a 55-43 edge with 9:10 left.

Once again the Hawks pulled within five, 57-52, with 5:45 remaining, as Simpson connected on two trifectas and R.J. Rutledge drained another from the corner. The Pioneers responded with an 11-0 run to corral a 68-52 cushion with three minutes left in the game.

The Hawks were able to pull within 70-60, but the Pioneers hit just enough foul shots down the stretch to hold on for the 74-62 victory.

Simpson, who drilled a career-high six three-pointers, led Monmouth with 20 points. Coleman added 10 points for the Hawks.

Monmouth returns to action on Saturday, February 9, when the Hawks host Mount St. Mary's in NEC action in Boylan Gym. Tip-off for the televised game is set for 6:02 p.m.