JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Saint Peter's men's basketball team came back in the second half to defeat Mount St. Mary's by a final score of 66-58 at Run Baby Run Arena Friday night. The Peacocks won their eighth straight game at home, this time in front of a record crowd.
It was players like
Brent Bland who showed out tonight to help elevate the Peacocks (12-7, 9-2 MAAC) over the Mountaineers (9-14, 5-7 MAAC). Bland finished with 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting from 3-point range, including nine points in the second half.
Saint Peter's continued one of its main themes this year, 'strength in numbers', as
Bryce Eaton and
Shaedon Simpson had solid performances off the bench. Eaton's six second-half points brought his scoring total to 10, while he added six rebounds and six assists. Simpson finished with seven points and four boards in 20 minutes on the floor.
One of the big difference makers in the game was the Peacocks' ability to force turnovers as well as produce points off them. Saint Peter's recorded 21 points off turnovers while Mount St. Mary's scored just six.
NOTES
Saint Peter's is now 7-6 all-time against the Mountaineers and 5-3 against them at home…the official attendance was listed at 1,112, which is the highest home attendance since 1,126 on Feb. 7, 2022, vs. NJIT…the last time the Peacocks started 10-1 at home came during the 1988-89 season…Saint Peter's has now won eight straight home games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF: The Peacocks took a 7-2 lead over the Mountaineers to open up the game as Bland got the crowd going with a steal and breakaway dunk. Mount St. Mary's then came within one point after a pair of free throws made it 9-10. In a 16-16 tie game, layups by
Lucas Scroggins and
Zaakir Williamson put the Peacocks up four, but the Mountaineers kept things close. The Peacocks ended the half hitting back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers, but Mount St. Mary's hit a triple at the buzzer to go into halftime with a 33-32 advantage.
SECOND HALF: Both teams went scoreless through the first two and a half minutes of the second half. Bland ended the drought for the Peacocks, knocking down a 3-pointer assisted by Eaton. Both teams then traded blows back and forth as Mount St. Mary's held a small lead. Facing a 40-45 deficit, the Peacocks stormed back quickly with six unanswered points. The 6-0 run was made up of a free throw, a 3-pointer by Bland and a transition dunk by Scroggins.
With just 6:40 remaining in regulation, Eaton was fouled on a breakaway following a steal. He hit both free throws to tie the game at 50-50. Saint Peter's surrendered two free throws, but responded with a 9-0 run, taking a 59-52 lead over the Mountaineers with 3:45 to go. Out of a timeout, Williamson added to the run with a made jumper from the elbow. The Peacocks' late momentum was too much for the Mountaineers to handle as Saint Peter's secured the 66-58 win.
UP NEXT
The Peacocks have a quick turnaround, taking on Rider this Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. They defeated the Broncs at home earlier this season.
