FAIRFIELD, Conn. - A season removed from missing the MAAC Tournament, the Saint Peter's men's basketball team became one of the first teams in the conference to clinch a postseason spot this year. The
Bashir Mason led Peacocks look to keep their foot on the gas with six games left on the schedule, and that starts this week against Sacred Heart and Fairfield.
The Peacocks (14-8, 11-3 MAAC) are set to take on the Pioneers (10-16, 6-9 MAAC) at William H. Pitt Center on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, marking the first time the two teams meet this season. Saint Peter's then returns to Jersey City to play the Stags (16-10, 8-7 MAAC) at Run Baby Run Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Peacocks are currently joined by four other teams who have clinched a MAAC Tournament appearance. Saint Peter's, Merrimack, Siena, Marist and Quinnipiac have punched their tickets to Atlantic City, leaving five remaining spots up for grabs.
Bryce Eaton is coming off of a huge weekend for the Peacocks, averaging 21.5 points and 4.5 assists in wins over Manhattan and Siena. The guard from Detroit has now recorded double digit points and at least one steal in each of his last four games.
ABOUT THE SACRED HEART PIONEERS
The Pioneers are seeking to get back on track this week after losing their last three games. It hasn't been all bad for them, however, as they won the five games prior to that skid. Sacred Heart is powered by a high-scoring offense which ranks second in MAAC in scoring.
Anquan Hill not only leads the Pioneers in scoring but also the conference, averaging 17.7 points per game. He pulls in the most rebounds for Sacred Heart with 6.2 a night. Dashon Gittens and Nyle Ralph-Beyer are large contributors to the offense as well, each averaging over 13 points on the year.
Sacred Heart is coached by Anthony Latina who is in his 13th season as head coach of the Pioneers.
ABOUT THE FAIRFIELD STAGS
The Stags and Peacocks already met once this season back during the opening stages of conference play. It was a close game that went back and forth down the stretch, but Saint Peter's ultimately won thanks to a dagger 3-pointer by Eaton. Since then, Fairfield has been one of the hottest teams in the MAAC, winning five of its last six games.
The trio of Braden Sparks, Brandon Benjamin and Declan Wucherpfennig make up the core of this team. Benjamin has continued being one of the best freshman in the MAAC, averaging a double-double.
Fairfield is coached by Chris Casey who is in his second season as head coach of the Stags.
NOTES
The Peacocks are 3-0 all-time against the Pioneers and 1-0 against them on the road…the Peacocks are 69-65 all-time against the Stags and 44-32 against them at home.
