Game 5/6
Saint Peter's (1-3, 0-0 MAAC) vs. Iona (0-2, 0-0 MAAC)
Date: Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 12-13
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hynes Athletic Center, New Rochelle, NY
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Opening Word:
- The Saint Peter's University women's basketball team is set to open conference play this weekend with a trip to Iona from Dec. 12-13. Both games are scheduled for a 5 p.m. start.
- Most recently, the Peacocks traveled to nearby Seton Hall for a bout with the Pirates on Dec. 8, ultimately dropping the contest by a score of 107-60.
- Redshirt senior Kendrea Williams led the Peacocks in scoring against the team from South Orange, dropping 13 points while also finishing with two rebounds and one assist in the effort.
- The upcoming series at Iona marks the fourth and fifth road games of the season for Saint Peter's, having played only once at home in its season-opener against NJIT on Nov. 25.
History with the Gaels:
- Saint Peter's and Iona will face off for the 93rd meeting between the two sides on Saturday, with the Peacocks holding a 60-32 advantage over their MAAC opponents in the matchup's history.
- The two squads split the regular season series last year, each winning at home but dropping the road tilt.
- The last meeting between Saint Peter's and Iona was on March 7, 2020, during which the Peacocks completed a dramatic 15-point comeback at home to seal a Senior Day victory, defeating the visitors 55-50.
- Of this year's returners, Williams had the strongest showing against the Gaels in that March 7 contest, finishing with 13 points while shooting 50 percent from the floor and hitting three triples in the exchange.
Back in the MAAC:
- This weekend's series will open conference play for the Peacocks a week earlier than originally anticipated, following schedule changes due to COVID-19 protocol.
- Last season, the Peacocks finished 6-14 against MAAC opponents, which marked the program's most successful conference campaign of the past decade, last registering six MAAC wins in the 2009-10 season when the team went 6-12.
- Saint Peter's collected multiple signature wins last season, including a stunning 67-56 victory over then-undefeated Rider on Feb, 6, 2020.
- The win was followed by a thrilling 66-63 overtime-win against a strong Fairfield side less than two weeks later on Feb 18, courtesy of a Taiah Thornton buzzer-beater in the final seconds of extra time.
- The duo of Thornton and Williams will look to repeat their success they found in conference play last year.
- Thornton finished fifth in the league in scoring with 307 points (15.4 per game) and was ranked thirteenth in field goal percentage at 45 percent.
- Williams was among the league's elite deep-threats last season, finishing fifth in three-point percentage with 39.7 percent and second in triples made at 46 (2.3 per game).
Up Next:
- The Peacocks are currently scheduled to host Monmouth from Dec. 18-19, with both games scheduled for an 8 p.m. start.
