Box Score The Saint Peter's University women's basketball team dropped a 72-55 decision to the La Salle University Explorers this afternoon in Philadelphia, PA. The Peacocks trailed from beginning to end; failing to attain a lead at any point. Saint Peter's did manage to cut the deficit to 8 points mid-way through the second frame however, until the hosts went on a 12-0 spurt to reopen a double-digit advantage.
With the loss, Saint Peter's drops to 0-11 on the year, while the Explorers improve to 4-9.
Antonia Smith and Kaydine Bent tied for the team-high in points; each contributing 11 markers.
The Peacocks found themselves in an early hole, trailing 8-2 to force the coaching staff to call a timeout at 18:12. An and-1 layup by Antonia Smith on the ensuing possession made it a three-point game at 8-5.
La Salle proceeded to go on an 8-0 over the next two and a half minutes to head into the first media timeout with a 16-5 advantage. The Peacocks managed to out-score the hosts by a 6-3 margin to cut the deficit to single digits. A trey by Hala Mostafa at 10:10 brought Saint Peter's within 5 (19-11) and forced a La Salle timeout.
The Explorers would soon reopen their double-digit lead, following a three-ball by Jordan Mosley with 4:34 remaining in the stanza. La Salle connected on four treys in the final five minutes of play to head into the half-time break leading the Peacocks 40-23.
Eight players recorded points for the Peacocks in the first half, as Smith had a team-high 5. La Salle had two players in double-figures in the opening stanza; Brittany Wilson (10) and Jones (12).
Saint Peter's shot 36.4% from the floor in the stanza, while the Explorers finished with a 37.2% shooting percentage. La Salle drained 7 of 15 three-point attempts in the frame.
Smith opened up the second stanza netting back-to-back pull up jumpers to bring the Peacocks within 13 at 40-27. Both teams exchanged buckets over the next five minutes, until a put-back layup off an offensive board by Bent made it a ten-point game (47-37) and forced an Explorer timeout.
Two made free throws by Kaydine Bent at 12:58 made it an eight point game (47-39)- the closest the Peacocks had been since the first five minutes of the opening half. La Salle responded with a trey less than a minute later to regain a double-digit advantage (50-39).
That would spark a 13-0 run by the hosts to give them their first twenty-point lead at 9:16, following a three-point field goal by Jones. Saint Peter's did battle back, putting together a 7-0 spurt, capped by a trey from the left wing by Khadijah Young to bring the visitors within 14 (68-54). That would be the closest the Peacocks could get, as they were unable to get within single digits for the remainder of the contest.
Overall, Saint Peter's shot 33.3% from the floor, 25% from long distance and 75% from the line. La Salle shot 35.6%, 39.1% and 57.9%, respectively. The Peacocks out rebounded the hosts by a 47-42 margin, but committed 28 turnovers while forcing 16.
La Salle was led by Ebonee Jones and Brittany Wilson, who each recorded 16 points in the victory.
The Peacocks open up MAAC play this Friday, as they host Manhattan at 7pm in the Yanitelli Center.
