Despite a strong start, the Peahen's basketball team fell 56-45 to the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson University Tuesday evening. Junior forward Jesika Holmes finished with a double-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds (8 offensive), in her first career start. Fairleigh Dickison capitalized on a seven minute scoring drought by the Peahens in the first half, to establish a 12 points lead, after trailing by 5 points early on. Saint Peter's has yet to win their first game of the season, and fall to 0-4, while Fairleigh Dickinson improves to 3-6.
Although the Knights started the scoring in the first half with a pair of free throws by Danielle Pankey, Saint Peter's controlled the opening minutes, with Holmes accounting for 6 of the Peahens first 11 points. SPC led by as many as 5 points early on, behind Kristal Edward's steal and fast break layup that made the score 9-5.
DeWolfe's squad maintained their advantage at 13-10, after Edwards assisted on Quiana Porter's jumper in the paint. That would be the last Peahen lead of the contest, as FDU's Erika Livermore gave the Knights their first lead at 14-13 (10:09).
FDU proceeded to outscore Saint Peter's by a 13-2 margin to end the frame, en route to a 27-15 halftime score. From the 8:09 minute mark, till 1:43, the Peahens remained locked at 14 points, while Fairleigh Dickinson put together a 9-0 run. During the stretch, SPC would go 0-8 from the field.
The Knights created the largest lead of the game (14 points) 15 seconds into the second half, behind Desiree Crawford's 2 point field goal. SPC's Lauren Morris quickly responded by draining a three pointer, off the assist by Aziza May. Less than a minute and a half later, Holmes again came through for the Peahens and cut the Knight's lead to single digits at 30-21 by way of a layup.
Both teams exchanged points in the following minutes, until Saint Peter's went on a 6-0 run, capped by 4 points from Morris, and 2 more from Quiana Porter to cut the deficit to 6 points, at 37-31.
Saint Peter's got as close as 3 points, after Aziza May sank two free throws with 2:06 to go, however two costly turnovers by the Peahens would ruin their chance to respond to back to back Knight field goals.
The Peahens were led by Jesika Holmes' double-double, while Lauren Morris added 10 points. Kristal Edwards came off the bench for Saint Peter's and contributed 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. Aziza May finished with a game high 7 assists in the loss.
Fairleigh Dickinson's Mariyah Laury led all scorers with 14 points, while Danielle Pankey finished with 13 points and Erika Livermore also had a double-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds.
Saint Peter's shot season lows in both field goal and three-point field goal percentage, finishing with 26.1% and 9.5%, respectively. Fairleigh Dickinson, who turned the ball over 24 times as a team, shot 38.2% from the field, and 20.0% from long distance.
The Peahens will matchup against the University of Akron on Saturday, December 3rd in Ohio. Tipoff is slated for 2pm.
