The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team needed late heroics from two key upperclassmen on Saturday to defeat in-state foe Central Connecticut State University, 62-61, at the William H. Pitt Center.

In front of 1,368 fans at the annual "Pack the Pitt" event, Sacred Heart redshirt-junior guard Shane Gibson, the Northeast Conference leading scorer, hit a fade-away jumper with 6.7 seconds left on the clock to win the game for Sacred Heart.

"We wanted to get Gibson a chance to touch it," said head coach Dave Bike, in his 34th year at the helm of his alma mater. "Phil could have got a shot off but he was looking for Shane and, fortunately, Shane ended up getting the ball and made a tough shot."

Gibson's game-winner followed a crucial steal by senior forward Stan Dulaire, who logged 24 minutes off the bench.

The Northeast Conference matchup, featuring the top four scorers in the conference, played out like a heavyweight fight, with 13 ties and 13 lead-changes.

The Central Connecticut Blue Devils (9-9, 6-2 NEC) started the game cold, only scoring two points in the first four minutes. But freshman guard Kyle Vinales, the NEC's third-leading scorer, got hot, sinking three 3-pointers en route to 16 first half points and 20 for the game.

Following a 9-0 Central Connecticut run, Sacred Heart (10-11, 4-4 NEC) sophomore guard Chris Evans evened the contest at 27 with a layup.  Evans finished the game with nine points.

However, Vinales and senior guard Robby Ptacek, the NEC's fourth-leading scorer, ended the half converting two free throws each, giving Central Connecticut a 31-28 halftime lead.

The second half continued to be a slugfest, with each team exchanging blows. Fifty seconds into the half, the Blue Devils took their largest lead of the night when senior forward Ken Horton, the NEC's second-leading scorer, laid one up and in to take a 33-28 advantage.  Horton notched his 26th career double-double, turning in 25 points and 14 rebounds.

Pioneer sophomore forward Louis Montes provided the game's other double-double, registering 21 points and 14 rebounds.  

After exchanging the lead for the next 12 minutes, it was a clutch three from Montes that would give his squad a 48-47 lead.

"Louis is playing big time right now," said Gibson.  "No one can stop him, so we're confident in him taking the shots he wants. "

Central Connecticut would take their second five-point advantage with a Ptacek bucket from behind the arc with 3:44 left.

Sacred Heart would climb back, only to turn the ball over down one with 22 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Dulaire.

Under the Pioneer basket, Horton attempted to in-bound the ball to Ptacek.  Dulaire dove for the pass, intercepting it and calling timeout.

"We doubled Ptacek and he cut to the ball," said Dulaire, describing the play of the game.  "I tried to stay with him and I saw Horton was looking right at him.  I knew if I got the steal we would have a chance to win.  So, I just dove and, luckily, I got it and called a timeout."

Sacred Heart used the timeout to plan for the win.  

Gibson in-bounded the ball to Dulaire, who gave it to freshman guard Phil Gaetano. Gaetano passed it to Gibson and cut to the corner.  

With two defenders on him, Gibson found Gaetano, who passed up an open look, dribbled into the paint, and sent it back to Gibson. 

Gibson dribbled once and put up the clincher, falling away.  Ptacek got a look, tried a three, but missed and the buzzer sounded, giving the Pioneers the victory and avenging a December overtime loss to the Blue Devils.

"After Stan gets the steal we congratulate and thank him because it gives us another opportunity to win," said Gibson, who finished with a game-high 26 points.  (Coach Bike) just said get the ball and take the shot.  I knew they were going to be all over me, so I saw Phil in the corner and gave him the ball.  He went baseline, found me in the corner, and I pump-faked and hit the shot."

For Big Red Nation, Saturday was more than just a win for the team.  It was a strong indication of school spirit.

" ‘Pack the Pitt' was great," said Dulaire.  "I'm glad the student body came out and we got the win in front of them.  I wish ‘Pack the Pitt' was every gameday."

Dulaire wasn't the only one that recognized the difference fan support can make in a crucial game.

"It's no doubt that coaches and players like to play in front of the fans we had today," said Bike.  "It's a good atmosphere.  It makes a difference for the players.  But, (the fans) have to recognize that you're not only doing it for us, but you're doing it for yourself, because you're the ones that are looking good."

The Pioneers play the third game of a four-game home stand when they host Wagner tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.