JERSEY CITY, NJ – One day after a tough defeat to Fairfield University, Saint Peter's University men's basketball got its revenge in dominating fashion by knocking off the Stags, 66-49, on Sunday night at John Moore Athletics Center on the campus of NJCU. The 15-point victory improved the Peacocks' conference record to 7-5 and overall mark to 10-7, while the
Stags dropped to 5-9 in the MAAC and 5-14 overall.
KC Ndefo poured in a career-high 20 points to lead all scorers on the night. Joining Ndefo in double-figures were
Daryl Banks III (18) and
Matthew Lee (10).
The Basics
Score: Saint Peter's 69, Fairfield 44
Records: Saint Peter's (10-7, 7-5 MAAC) | Fairfield (5-14, 5-9 MAAC)
Location: John Moore Athletics Center | Jersey City, NJ
How It Happened
- Ndefo and Banks opened the evening with back-to-back three-pointers, followed by a floater by Banks to put SPU ahead 8-3.
- Fairfield scored the game's next seven points to take its first and only lead of the evening, which lasted only 25 seconds, before SPU tied and then regained the lead behind a Ndefo layup and jumper from Lee.
- The Peacocks clung on to a one-possession lead over the next five minutes, but then opened up the contest with a 12-4 rally the next five minutes to take an 11-point double-digit lead (31-20).
- Doug Edert led the surge with five points with Ndefo (4) and Banks (3) also scoring during the run.
- Offensively, the Peacocks did not commit a single turnover for the entire 5:31 span of the run.
- At intermission, SPU led 35-22.
- The Peacocks' 35 points more than doubled both teams' combined point total of game one's first half from a day ago (34 combined points).
- SPU maintained a double-digit lead in the early goings of the half up until around eight minutes in, when the Stags got within six.
- A response by the Peacocks led to an 11-2 run, capped off by backend triples from Banks and Hassan Drame to put SPU ahead 53-38.
- Saint Peter's allowed Fairfield to get within 10-points one last time, with 5:12 on the clock, but closed the meeting by scoring 13 out of the game's final 18 points, to take the contest 66-49.
Notes
- Ndefo eclipsed his previous career-mark by three points, which he scored earlier this season at Canisuis (Jan. 1).
- The all-league forward stuffed the stat sheet and just missed out on his second career double-double with nine rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and one steal.
- Banks surpassed double-digits for the second straight game and 12th time this season, scoring his most points in over two months since dropping 19 against Niagara on Dec. 11.
- Banks also led the team with two thefts and handed out three assists.
- Lee's 10 points came off the bench and he dished out a team-leading four helpers.
- H. Drame pulled in 11 boards, giving him his third 10+ rebound performance of the season and sixth of his career.
- Saint Peter's commanded the time with a lead, holding the advantage for over 35 minutes (88%) compared to just one percent by the visitors.
- The Peacocks won the battle of the board (37-28), points off of turnovers (17-11), points in the paint (24-18), second chance points (10-7), and forced turnovers (11-8).
- The two sides have split the season series for the third consecutive season since 2018-19.
- Saint Peter's home record this year improves to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play.
- The team's seven conference wins propels the squad to third place on the MAAC standing chart.
Up Next
The Peacocks will remain in Jersey City for a third straight home set, hosting Marist College on Friday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20. The 2020-21 schedule, however, remains fluid and is subject to change.
