JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Saint Peter's men's basketball team picked up a huge, 76-63, victory over top-ranked Merrimack on Sunday at Run Baby Run Arena, handing the Warriors their first conference loss of the season. The Peacocks jumped ahead early and never took their foot of the gas as they secured the victory at home.
" I'm really proud of my guys today," head coach
Bashir Mason said after the game. "I thought we had laser-sharp focus, and in the execution we were really detailed. Especially coming off a loss, I thought our response was great."
"I gotta give props to Merrimack and coach [Joe] Gallo. Those guys do a phenomenal job, they're a well-coached team and a really difficult opponent to prepare for and go up against."
With the win, the Peacocks (8-6, 5-1 MAAC) move to an impressive 7-1 mark at home, while the Warriors (10-8, 6-1 MAAC) drop to 4-7 on the road. Merrimack entered the matchup with the best 3-point percentage in conference play, but Saint Peter's held the Warriors to a season-low 11.1 percent (2-for-18) from behind the arc.
Zaakir Williamson and
Brent Bland were all over the court, making an impact on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Williamson finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, while Bland added 17 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals.
Bryce Eaton and
Lucas Scroggins were also big difference makers against the Warriors, each dropping 10 points. Scroggins pulled in the third most rebounds on the team with seven, and Eaton led the squad in assists with six.
NOTES
Saint Peter's is now 3-1 against the Warriors all-time, with all four meetings taking place in Jersey City…the Peacocks shot 52.1 percent (25-for-48) from the field, marking their second-best shooting performance of the season…Saint Peter's outrebounded Merrimack 37-to-26…SPU made the same amount of free throws the Warriors attempted…
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF: Saint Peter's and Merrimack traded blows to kick off the game at Run Baby Run Arena as neither team built a commanding lead. With a one-point advantage at 16-15, the Peacocks went on a huge 14-4 run over four minutes to take a 30-19 lead over the Warriors. The run was highlighted by 3-pointers by
Eric Morgan Jr. and Bland. Due to the run, Saint Peter's held a 38-25 lead at halftime. Bland led the squad with 12 points while three other Peacocks ended the half with six.
SECOND HALF: The second half started similarly to the first, with both teams finding themselves in a highly contested fight. Any time the Warriors would score a basket, it seemed as if the Peacocks had an answer on the other end of the floor every time. Scroggins had a huge showing in the second half with multiple dunks that kept the crowd energetic. With just under 10 minutes to go, Merrimack cut its deficit to 11 with an AND-1 dunk that made it 50-61.
Turnovers and steals made up the next few minutes as both teams struggled to score the ball consistently. With 3:31 remaining in regulation, the Peacocks led 69-59 following a three-point play by Merrimack's Kevair Kennedy. The Peacocks managed to bury the Warriors' hopes of a comeback in the final minutes and secured the 76-63 win.
UP NEXT
The Peacocks hit the road this week to play Quinnipiac in Hamden, Conn. on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET.
