LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - The Saint Peter's women's basketball team defeated the Rider Broncs on Thursday, Feb. 12 on the road 42-40 in Lawrenceville, N.J.
The contest can only be described in one word, gritty. The Peacocks and Broncs engaged in a defensive war that came down to the wire. And it was thanks to a defense that forced Rider into 15 turnovers. After ending her streak of double digit scoring games,
De'Naya Rippey once again returned to the leading scorer chart with another solid outing of 15 points and leading the team in rebounds with seven, assists with two, steals with two, and minutes played with 34.
Jayshlynn Vega provided a huge scoring boost off the bench with eight points and knocking down a pair of 3-pointers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: Nikola Zdenkova knocked down the first basket for the Peacocks on a layup inside before Rippey added to the total on a pair of free throws.
Carys Roy scored on a layup in the paint to make the score 6-7 heading into the media timeout. The Broncs quickly regained control of the game scoring three straight baskets. However, the run was soon ended by Roy who scored the next three points for Saint Peter's, ending the first on a high with the score 9-12 in favor of Rider.
SECOND QUARTER: After a pair of baskets by Rider,
Jada Mills cashed in on a triple from well beyond the arc. After another jumper by the Broncs, the score sat at 12-19 heading into the media timeout. With a sizable deficit in the face of the Peacocks, Vega went to work on the offensive end, scoring five straight points before another basket was added by
Laila Grant. However, Rider just kept adding to the total, scoring six straight points to end the first half in front with a 20-25 score at the halftime buzzer.
THIRD QUARTER: To begin the second half, both teams proceeded to play exceptional defense, and after three minutes the first point was scored by a triple from Vega. Following that up, Saint Peter's scored the next five points with a layup and free throws by Rippey, and more free throws by Roy. With about two minutes to go, the Peacocks stayed in front with a 28-26 lead. The Broncs would respond with a pair of free throws of their own, tying the game up at 28-28 with the final buzzer sounding.
FOURTH QUARTER: Layla Laws began the fourth quarter with a catch and shoot triple before the Broncs answered back with a 3-pointer of their own. Laws added another point to her total on a free throw attempt. After two minutes, the Peacocks were down 32-34 on the Broncs before Rippey made it a one point game on a free throw. After another layup inside by Rippey, the score sat at 35-39 heading into the media timeout. The teams exchanged scoreless runs before Rippey scored on a trip to the line to end the run for Saint Peter's. With about three minutes to go, Roy earned herself a trip to the line and made it just a two point game before Grant played some stellar defense to draw an offensive foul. A spinning layup by Rippey tied the game back up at 40-40 with a timeout by Rider. And with one minute to go, Rippey spun inside and drew the contact with a strong finish to give the Peacocks the lead. And with the game on the line, the Saint Peter's defense held firm to seal the deal and come out with a 42-40 victory.
UP NEXT: The Peacocks will return home on Saturday against Sacred Heart at 2 pm for a special Play4Kay game.
