Box Score Chris Burke scored a career-high 17 points in the Saint Peter's men's basketball team's 77-58 loss to Niagara University this evening. The Peacocks established a 7-0 lead to start off the game, but the visitors responded with an 8-0 spurt of their own to gain the advantage. Three lead changes occurred over the following eight minutes, until Niagara established a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.
Saint Peter's has now lost three consecutive contests and falls to 6-9, 1-3 MAAC, while Niagara improves to 8-8, 4-1 MAAC.
Burke went 6-9 from the field, including 5-7 from downtown. The junior guard added 6 boards, 3 assists and 1 block.
Pat Jackson contributed a season-high 14 points in the loss on 7-9 shooting, while grabbing 6 boards and dishing out 2 assists.
The Peacocks' leading scorer on the season, Desi Washington, finished with 11 points. Blaise Ffrench recorded a team-high 7 assists.
Saint Peter's opened up the game with a 7-0 lead, forcing an early Niagara timeout at 16:28. The Purple Eagles soon came to life however, scoring eight straight to take an 8-7 lead nearing the fourteen-minute mark.
A two-point basket by Markese Tucker regained the lead for the hosts at 9-8, but Niagara proceeded to go on a 10-0 spurt over the next three minutes to jump in front 18-9.
Saint Peter's responded with a 10-0 run of their own; capped by a wide-open trey by Chris Burke (7:24) to give the hosts a one-point lead (19-18). The lead proved to be short lived- as Niagara scored 15 straight, paced by 8 points from Juan'ya Green (33-19 @ 2:54). The Purple Eagles held on to the advantage for the final three minutes of the first half to head into the half-time break leading 35-23.
The Peacocks shot 45.2% from the floor and 37.5% from beyond the arc in the first half. They were led by Pat Jackson's 8 points.
Niagara shot 41.2% from the field, 30% from long distance and went a perfect 4-4 from the line. Green led the Purple Eagles in scoring in the stanza with 12 points.
The visitors continued their hot streak to begin the second half, scoring seven straight points to establish a 42-23 lead. A three-ball by Burke at 17:50 broke the Niagara run and sparked an 8-0 Peacock run- forcing the visitors to burn a timeout.
Saint Peter's was able to come within 11 points (44-33) following a Darius Conley layup at 16:07, but could not crack single digits for the remainder of the contest.
Niagara established their largest lead (22 points) at 8:53 following a layup by TJ Cline.
Overall, the Peacocks shot 43.6% from the field, 40.9% from three-point range and just 20% (1-5) from the line. The Purple Eagles shot 46.2%, 33.3% and 90 %, respectively.
Both teams were called for a combined 14 fouls in the game (Saint Peter's-9, Niagara-5).
Niagara was led by Antione Mason's 26 points, while Juan'ya Green added 19.
Saint Peter's returns to action this Sunday, as they travel to Albany, NY to face the Siena College Saints.
