JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Saint Peter's men's basketball junior Bryce Eaton netted 18 points as the Peacocks came up short down the stretch to Binghamton in their home opener by a score of 58-55 in the opening game of the America East-Metro Challenge. 

The Peacocks fall to 0-2, while the Bearcats improve to 1-1. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF: A defensive battle ensued over the first 15 minutes of play with the Bearcats finding the range and pulling ahead 18-12 with under six minutes to play. Saint Peter's rallied with an 8-2 run as Eaton bookended the run with a pair of threes to tie the score at 20 with 4:06 to play. The teams traded points down the stretch with Xavier Thomas connecting from the outside as the teams headed into halftime tied at 27.  

SECOND HALF: Saint Peter's found the touch from the outside early in the half as Thomas drained a pair of trifectas, while Ken Walker added a triple. Eaton scored in the key with a jumper to give the Peacocks a 41-36 lead at the midway point. Binghamton chipped away to pull even at 44 with 6:03 left in the game. Saint Peter's led by three points down the stretch 55-52 following a pair of Thomas free throws. Binghamton headed to the line in the final minute to take the lead and held off the Peacocks in the waning seconds. 

TOP PERFORMERS: 
Eaton led the way with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Thomas shot 3-for-6 from the outside, finishing with 13 points and seven boards. Walker added nine points for the Peacocks. 

UP NEXT
The Peacocks conclude play in the America East-Metro Challenge as they head to Newark to face NJIT on Sunday at 4pm. The game will be televised on ESPN+.