LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Saint Peter's men's basketball team struggled down the stretch against Rider and ultimately fell to the Broncs by three points, 78-81, at Alumni Gymnasium on Sunday. The Peacocks had a chance to go ahead in the final 10 seconds, but the Broncs got a stop and hit a 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left for the win.
The Peacocks (12-8, 9-3 MAAC) held an 11-point lead over the Broncs (3-18, 2-10 MAAC) with six minutes to go in regulation as they looked for their third road win of the season. Rider had other plans, making six of its last eight shots, including four 3-pointers, to come back.
Brent Bland led the team with 20 points on 5-for-9 shooting from 3-point range, adding to his two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Lucas Scroggins neared another double-double with eight points and 10 boards.
Bryce Eaton joined Bland scoring in double figures, finishing with 15 points.
Despite outrebounding the Broncs, dishing more assists and committing fewer turnovers, Saint Peter's had trouble stopping the Rider offense. The Broncs shot 50.0 percent from the field and 60.0 percent from 3-point range.
NOTES
Saint Peter's is now 37-46 all-time against the Broncs and 11-21 against them on the road…the Broncs have now won the last four meetings in Lawrenceville dating back to Jan. 16, 2022…Bland has made five 3-pointers in back-to-back games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SECOND HALF: The first five minutes of the second half were highly contested as neither team could really gain much separation. That changed when Saint Peter's went on an 11-1 run to match its largest lead of the game, 60-48. The Peacocks held on to their favorable lead until Rider started to go on a late run.
The Broncs tied the game at 75-75 following a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws after a steal. On the other end, Rider got a stop and then came back and hit another 3 to go up 78-75. With under a minute to go, Eaton redeemed a missed 3 with a made corner 3 on the same possession to tie it at 78-78. The Peacocks had a chance to take the lead, but a missed floater turned into a fastbreak opportunity for Rider. The Broncs ran down the court and knocked down a triple with 1.9 seconds left on the clock to win the game, 81-78.
FIRST HALF: The Peacocks dominated the start of the game, taking a commanding 12-2 lead over the Broncs through the first four minutes. Rider showed some fight early, cutting its deficit from 10 to four following a made 3. The 3-pointers then started flowing for SPU with the help of Bland, Eaton and
Eric Morgan Jr. The Peacocks led 30-18 with under eight and a half minutes to go, but the Broncs outscored them by 11 to end the half down one. Rider hit a half-court buzzer beater, making it 39-40 at halftime.
UP NEXT
Saint Peter's will take another road trip for its next game against Manhattan. The Peacocks and Jaspers will tipoff at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 5.
