JERSEY CITY, NJ – A 19-point effort by Lamin Fulton for the Saint Peter's College Peacocks (3-13, 2-3 MAAC) was not enough in a 72-58 loss to the Rider University Broncs (6-11, 3-2 MAAC). The Peacocks trailed 49-48 midway through the second half, but an 11-2 by the Broncs gave them a 10-point cushion that they would never relinquish.
Rider won the tip and started the game on a 9-2 run to take the seven-point lead at the 17:08 mark. Saint Peter's responded with a 10-2 run of their own to take their first lead 12-11 at the 12:38 mark. The Broncs then scored five straight to take a four-point lead, but four unanswered by the Peacocks tied the game at 16 with 9:13 to play in the first half. Rider immediately took the lead back and extended their advantage to as many as seven points at 26-19 with 5:04 remaining. Saint Peter's stayed within striking distance and went into the break trailing 35-29.
Fulton scored nine points to lead the Peacocks. Brandon Penn scored 15 points to lead all scorers for Rider. Saint Peter's shot 36.7% and allowed the Broncs to shot 48%. The Peacocks outrebounded Rider 19-16, but committed eight turnovers to the Broncs six.
Saint Peter's scored on a back door dunk by Chris Burke to start the second half, but Rider then scored five straight to take their largest lead at 40-31 with 18:33 to play. The Peacocks then trailed 47-37, but used an 11-2 run to draw to within one point at 49-48 at the 11:28 mark of the second half. Rider then used an 11-2 run of their own to go back up by 10, 60-50 at the 5:50 mark. The Broncs extended their lead to as many as 16 late and the Peacocks could only get as close as nine points.
Fulton was 7-13 from the field, including 5-8 from beyond the arc. Markese Tucker recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds and Yvon Raymond added 10 points. Brandon Penn scored 19 to lead the Broncs. The Peacocks shot 36% and allowed a 49% shooting effort for Rider. The Broncs won the board battle 36-35 and forced 14 turnovers and committed just 12.
Saint Peter's will hit the road on Friday as they travel to face Niagara for a 9pm tip-off in Western New York.
