Women's Basketball Begins Season with Exhibition Versus NJCU

SPECTATOR POLICY

Tip-Off: 

• The Saint Peter's University women's basketball team is set to host neighboring NJCU in the Battle of the Boulevard in the newly renovated Run Baby Run Arena tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
• The Peacocks are coming off of a season that saw great success, culminating in a MAAC Championship game appearance. The program had not reached that mark since 2002.
• The contest is the only exhibition slated for the 2021-22 season.

Spectator Policy

• All guests ages 12 and older must provide proof of a completed series of World Health Organization (WHO)-approved COVID-19 vaccination.

  • PLEASE NOTE: Full vaccination is achieved two weeks following a person's second dose of a two-dose vaccine series such as Pfizer and Moderna, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson.

• Masks are required at all events inside the Yanitelli Center regardless of vaccination status.

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination may be demonstrated by displaying a photo or hard copy of a CDC vaccination card, NJ DOCKET app, New York State Excelsior App, or an official vaccination record. We ask that you have such proof readily available prior to arriving at the venue.

• Anyone 18 years or older must also present an appropriate ID with proof of vaccination, which must contain the name of the individual, and a photo of the individual or the individual's date of birth. Examples of acceptable forms of identification include but are not limited to: a driver's license, non-driver government ID card, passport and/or school or work-issued ID card. 

The 2020-21 Peacocks

• Saint Peter's finished last season with 13 overall wins and 10 in the league circuit to represent the team's best finish in over a decade.
• Among the victories came marquee wins over some of the conference's top programs, including a 58-51 win against Regular Season Champion Marist on March 5. 
• The Peacocks then went on a run in the MAAC Tournament, beating Iona 61-50 and then Rider 72-67 a day later to reach the MAAC Championship for the first time since 2002.
• The Peacocks will look to capitalize on home-court advantage this season, as they had to play their 2020-21 home games at NJCU because of the arena renovation at Saint Peter's.

Co-Coach of the Year: Marc Mitchell

• Head coach March Mitchell was named MAAC Co-Coach of the Year last season, becoming the first coach since 1999 to claim the award.
• Mitchell, who started coaching at Saint Peter's in 2016, has improved the Peacocks record every year as head coach.
• With Mitchell at the helm, the Peacock program will look to continue in the right direction this campaign and try to reach new heights.

Run It Back

• The Peacocks return nine players from the 2020-21 season. Graduate guard Kendrea Williams, along with senior guard Binta Salawu and sophomore forward Sky Castro will look to lead the Peacocks this season, as they are the three returning starters from the 2020-21 season.
• Williams returns following an incredible showing all last season in which she led the team in three pointers made (52) and three point percentage (36%). The Piscataway native was also one of the most efficient scorers on the squad, finishing the season second on the team in points per game (11.9). Williams' season culminated in a selection to the 2020-21 All-MAAC Third Team.
• Salawu returns to lead the offense again after a standout campaign last year. From Sydney, Australia, Salawu finished second in the team in assists, recording 62 on the year. She was also automatic from the free throw line, posting a team high 72% at the stripe.
• Castro returns as one of the elite defenders in the MAAC following her impressive rookie season. She led the team in blocked shots last season with 18, and she was second on the team in both total rebounds (220) and rebounds per game (7.9). Hailing from Queens, NY, Castro will look to improve on her freshman season and help the Peacocks return to the MAAC Championship.
• Saint Peter's returns six other players who played a key role in advancing to the MAAC Championship game last season. Senior guards Tyara McQueen and Nickelle O'Neil both appeared in over 20 games last season. McQueen averaged 2.7 points per game while O'Neil recorded 15 steals last season. Sophomore guard Rachel Kuhl made ten threes off the bench for the Peacocks last season, appearing in 25 games and starting in one. Sophomore forwards Taylor Abraham, Victoria Ikenasio, and Giah Moore also all played in over 20 games for the Peacocks this past year. Abraham averaged 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, Ikenasio averaged 2.3 points and rebounds per game, and Moore averaged 1.1 points and rebounds per game.

New Faces

• Saint Peter's welcomes four newcomers to the squad for the upcoming campaign, including two true-freshmen and two transfers. 
• The rookie class includes local prospect Kaila Dawkins, a forward from Brooklyn, NY. Guard Imani Felix comes cross country to Saint Peter's from Sacramento, CA.
• The two transfers include senior guard Kourtney Crane from Peoria, IL, who comes to Saint Peter's from Chicago State University. Junior forward Kassondra Brown, from Abington, PA, joins the Peacock squad from Rhode Island University.

Up Next:

• The Peacocks begin the regular season with a non-conference matchup on Tuesday, November 9 in Piscataway, NJ against B1G 10 opponent Rutgers University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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