JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Saint Peter's men's basketball team (2-3) continues its four-game homestand on Saturday when the Peacocks play Dartmouth (1-3) at 2 p.m. ET. It will be the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Yanitelli Center, dating back to when Saint Peter's played Dartmouth there for the first time on Nov. 29, 1975.
The Peacocks are entering the matchup off a 68-66 win over UMass Lowell last Saturday. Newcomers
TJ Robinson and
Jahki Gupton had solid performances in the victory. Robinson led the team with 15 points while Gupton recorded five points, four rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
Saint Peter's wants to carry over the same defensive intensity it brought last week against the River Hawks. The Peaocks had a season-high 21 steals and forced UMass Lowell into committing 24 turnovers. Dartmouth is averaging 80.2 points per game, so it will be a tough test for the Peacocks' defense.
Saint Peter's starts MAAC play against Canisius and Niagara after the matchup with Dartmouth. The Peacocks then finish their nonconference schedule with Georgetown and Centenary (N.J.).
ABOUT THE DARTMOUTH BIG GREEN
Dartmouth started the season 0-3 with losses to Marist, Bryant and Appalachian State, before winning its first game of the season over UMaine Augusta on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The Big Green are shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from the 3-point line while averaging 80.2 points per game.
Kareem Thomas leads the way for the Big Green, putting up 19.2 points per game. He's been a threat from deep so far this season, hitting on 55.6 percent of his 3s. Brandon Mitchell-Day has also been a force for Dartmouth. He is averaging a double-double (points-rebounds) with 11.5 points and 10.8 rebounds to go along with his four assists per night.
Dartmouth is coached by David McLaughlin, who is in his ninth season as head coach of the Big Green.
NOTES
Saint Peter's is 2-1 all-time against Dartmouth...50 years ago to the day, the Peacocks played the Big Green in the first game played at the Yanitelli Center…this will be the third time the two teams meet in Jersey City…the last time the two teams met was on Dec. 1, 1996…the Peacocks are 2-0 at home this year.
