Box Score JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Kaydine Bent (Bronx, N.Y./Harry S. Truman) tallied 21 points and a career-high 22 rebounds in a 67-55 victory against Niagara University.
Antonia Smith (Bronx, N.Y./Dwight School) finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Aziza May (South Euclid, Ohio/Charles F. Brush) recorded 12 points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Peacocks were able to go on a strong second half run to seize the game and go on to the split the season series between the two teams.
After exchanging opening baskets, a 3-ball from Bridget Whitfield (San Diego, Calif./La Costa Canyon) gave Saint Peter's a 5-2 lead. Niagara countered with a 9-0 run to take an 11-5 advantage.
Following a scoring drought of over five minutes, Whitfield drilled a jumper that cut the Peacock deficit. The Purple Eagles answered with a layup from Val McQuade to extend its lead. Saint Peter's responded with a jumper from May to cut the lead. Niagara answered with a 3-pointer to take a 15-9 lead. The Peacocks answered with five straight points to cut the deficit to one points.
Niagara drilled a jumper from behind the arc to maintain its lead. Saint Peter's countered with a layup from Bent before another 3-pointer from the Purple Eagles to maintain a 21-16 advantage. With Niagara out in front 22-16, Saint Peter's went on a 10-0, fueled by two 3-pointers put the Peacocks back in front 26-22 heading into halftime.
Saint Peter's opened up the second half with a layup from Neechelle Ingram (Pocono Summit, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) to take a 28-22 lead. Niagara countered with a layup from Chanel Johnson to cut the deficit. The Peacocks answered with another put back from Ingram to maintain its lead. Niagara responded with five consecutive points to cut the deficit to one points.
The Peacocks answered with a field goal from Bent to keep Saint Peter's out in front. Niagara responded with a field goal before Smith drilled a 3-pointer to keep Saint Peter's ahead 35-31. The Purple Eagles answered with a 7-1 run to take a 38-35 advantage.
Saint Peter's responded with two free throws to cut the deficit to one point. The Purple Eagles answered with a jumper from Sam Lapszynski to keep a 40-37 lead. Next possession down the court, May made a 3-pointer to knot the game at 40.
Following a Saint Peter's foul, Kelly Van Leeuwen hit a pair of free throws to take a 42-40 advantage. Both teams exchanged free throws with Niagara out in front 45-42. The Peacocks responded with a jumper from Smith to trim the Niagara lead. Niagara answered with a pair of free throws from McGuiness to keep a 47-44 lead. Following a 3-point play from Ingram, the game was back tied at 47. Each team exchanged a basket to keep the game knotted at 49.
Following both a foul and technical foul from Lapszynski, Bent made two free throws to give Saint Peter's a 51-49. The Peacocks did not look back, closing out the game on a 16-6 run to win the game, 67-55.
Ingram had a strong afternoon, recording a career-high eight points to go along with five rebounds. Hala Mostafa (Cairo, Egypt/Modern Narmer Language School) finished with seven points and three assists.
The Purple Eagles finished with two players in double-figures, including a game-high 21 points from McGuinness.
With the win, Saint Peter's stops a four-game skid, including a five-game skid against Niagara. This was Saint Peter's first home win since 2012.
Saint Peter's improves to 3-12 overall and 2-4 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action. Niagara falls to 4-11 overall and 2-4 in MAAC play.
The Peacocks return to action Jan. 16, when they team welcomes Quinnipiac University to the Yanitelli Center for the program's first-ever meeting against the Bobcats.
