The Saint Peter's College women's basketball team picked up their first victory of the 2011-12 season, defeating the Loyola University Greyhounds 68-51 on the road. With the win, the Peahens snap a 16 game losing streak, dating back to their loss to Quarterfinal loss Marist in MAAC tournament last year. Jynae Judson led the Peahens with 16 points, while Kristal Edwards added 13. Saint Peter's is now 1-15, 1-4 MAAC, while Loyola drops to 5-11, 1-4 MAAC.
The Peahens dominated the opening minutes of the first half, jumping out in front 6-2 by the first media time-out (16:54). Saint Peter's would extend their lead to 10-2, as Kristal Edwards sank a layup at 15:14.
Loyola was kept scoreless for over six minutes, dating back to their first basket of the game at 19:09. The Greyhounds made just their second field goal of the game at the 13:43 minute mark, following a 30 second time-out by head coach Joe Logan. The home team continued to go on an 11-3 run, capped by a three-point field goal by Miriam McKenzie to bring them within 2 at 15-13.
Khadijah Young answered back on the other end for Saint Peter's, banking in a trey to regain a five-point cushion at 18-13. Quiana Porter scored the next four points for Saint Peter's, putting them in front 22-13 (8:16).
Both team's failed to score in the following three minutes, until Loyola's McKenzie scored eight points in a row for the Greyhounds to bring them within five at 25-20.
Saint Peter's immediately responded with a 6-0 run, to establish their largest lead (11 points) of the frame at 31-20. Loyola outscored SPC by a 7-3 margin, but the Peahens went into the half-time break leading 34-27.
For the half, Saint Peter's shot a season-high 48.3% from the field, as well as a season-high 57.1% from three. Kristal Edwards led the way with 7 points, 5 rebounds, while Porter added 6 points, and Judson and Morris had 5 a piece. McKenzie had 16 points in the half, on 7-13 shooting for Loyola.
Entering the second stanza, Saint Peter's maintained control of the game on both ends of the floor, holding the Greyhounds to just two points in the first eight minutes, while scoring 12 to extend their lead to 46-29. During the stretch Judson and Edwards provided four points each, while Porter and Lovisa Hagberg added a field goal a piece.
A transition lay up from Kaydine Bent in the tenth minute gave Saint Peter's their largest lead of the game at 50-32.
Loyola forged a comeback, going on a 10-3 run just three minutes later, to get within 9 points at 57-48. Saint Peter's regained control and finished the game outscoring the hosts, 9-2.
Saint Peter's shot season-highs from the floor (48.1%) and from three-point range (44.4%). Loyola shot 35.2% and 23.5%, respectively. The Peahens out-rebounded the Greyhounds by a 68-51 margin, and committed 24 turnovers to Loyola's 17.
Jynae Judson led the Peahens with 16 points and added 5 rebounds. Kristal Edwards finished with a career-high 13 points and a team-high in rebounds (8) and blocks (3). Quiana Porter chipped in with 10 points (5-10 shooting) and 5 rebounds.
Loyola was led by Miriam McKenzie's 21 points (16 first half points), 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Kara Marshall added 14 points and 7 steals.
The Peahens are back in action Sunday, as they travel to Lawrenceville, NJ to face the Rider Broncs for a 2pm tip.
