JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Saint Peter's College Peacocks (5-19, 4-9 MAAC) dropped a 66-55 decision to the Loyola University Maryland Greyhounds (18-5, 11-2 MAAC) this afternoon. The Peacocks trailed by 15 points midway through the second half, but trimmed the deficit to five with just over six minutes left, but could get no closer in the final minutes. Darius Conley recorded his third double-double of the season with 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead Saint Peter's.
Loyola won the tip, but Saint Peter's got a stop and scored first. The Greyhounds quickly tied the score and the game was then tied at six with 16:06 to play. Loyola then scores seven straight to take a 13-6 lead with 13:50 to play in the first half.
Saint Peter's scored four straight to cut the deficit to three, but an 11-2 spurt by the Greyhounds gave them a 24-12 lead at the 6:57 mark. The Peacocks trimmed the deficit to eight, but six straight by Loyola gave them their largest lead at 14 points, 32-18 with 2:41 to play. Saint Peter's finished the half by scoring five straight and went into the break trailing 32-23.
Conley scored nine points in the opening frame to lead the Peacocks. Robert Olson scored 14 points on 5-6 from the field, including 4-4 from behind the arc to lead Loyola. Saint Peter's shot just 32% from the field, while Loyola shot 44.4%. Loyola held the boards edge 18-14 and forced 11 turnovers, while committing 10.
The two teams traded baskets to begin the second half, but then Loyola scored six straight to extend their advantage to 15 points at 42-27 at the 16:28 mark. The Peacocks then trailed 49-34, but went on a 12-2 run to draw to within in five points at 51-46 with 6:12 to play. Loyola then scored five straight to extend their lead back up to 10 points and the Peacocks could get no closer than five the rest of the way.
It was Conley's sixth career double-double and the fourth 20-point game of this career. Lamin Fulton added 10 points for the Peacocks. Olson scored 19 points to lead Loyola, while Erik Etherly added 15 points and Shane Walker scored 14. The Greyhounds outshot Saint Peter's 46% to 38%, but the Peacocks outrebounded Loyola 33-29. Loyola committed 15 turnovers and forced 19.
The Peacocks continue their homestand on Thursday night as they host the Marist Red Foxes at 8:30pm in the ESPN3 MAAC National Game of the Week. The game will follow the Peahens contest against Siena which tips-off at 6pm.
