Box Score The Saint Peter's University women's basketball team picked up their first win of the season in Riverdale, NY this afternoon; defeating the Manhattan College Jaspers by a score of 60-49.
Saint Peter's now stands at 1-18, 1-7 MAAC, while Manhattan falls to 5-14, 2-6 MAAC.
The Peacocks battled back from an early nine-point deficit to go into the half-time break leading by eight. Manhattan threatened to come back in the second half, but Saint Peter's was able to fend off multiple Jasper runs to secure the double-digit victory.
"Today it finally clicked for the girls on what it takes to win. They are starting to understand not only what it takes, but also how to win", commented Acting Head Coach Tiffany Jones following the Peacocks' victory. "Even though we went on a drought, we managed to stay strong on defense. The biggest adjustment we made today was playing to win- as opposed to playing not to lose."
Kristal Edwards led the Peacocks with a career-high 22 points, while adding 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Aziza May also finished in double-figures; contributing 14 points. Jesika Holmes added a team-high 9 boards and tallied 6 points, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Despite scoring the first basket of the game, the Peacocks found themselves trailing the hosts by 9 points. A 14-3 Manhattan run made the score 14-5 nearing the fourteen-minute mark, until Saint Peter's responded by scoring ten unanswered points to get within one following a three-ball by Lovisa Hagberg (11:18).
Manhattan managed to reopen a three-point cushion, but the tenacious Peacocks battled back; forcing 6 tied scores over the next five minutes of play. With 3:29 remaining in the half, Hagberg connected on her second trey of the contest to give the visitors a three-point advantage (25-22).
That sparked a 10-2 run for Saint Peter's; who entered the half-time break leading by eight (32-24).
For the half the Peacocks shot 43.5% from the floor and hit 2 of 3 three-point attempts (two by Hagberg). The Jaspers shot 44% from the field and just 14.3% (1-7) from beyond the arc.
Edwards led Saint Peter's with 9 points in the first half, while Aziza May contributed 7.
Saint Peter's maintained their momentum heading into the second half, as Edwards drained a jumper to give the visitors their first double-digit advantage. Manhattan managed to come within single digits on three occasions over the next six minutes; coming as close as 4 points after a two-point basket by Toni-Ann Lawrence to cap a 7-0 run (11:57).
Edwards drained a three-ball on the following possesion to reopen a 7-point lead for the Peacocks, but a 5-0 Jasper run brought the hosts within 2 (43-41) with 9:09 to play. Edwards again had the answer for Saint Peter's- sinking a three-pointer off the feed from Aziza May 15 seconds later to regain separation.
Four straight free throws by the Jaspers made it a one-point game (46-45) with 7:17 to go, but a 7-0 Peacock run gave the visitors a comfortable eight-point lead that they were able to maintain for the remainder of the contest.
Overall, Saint Peter's shot 35.4% from the field, 31.6% from down town and 64.5% from the line. Manhattan shot 36.7%, 14.3% and 73.3% respectively.
The Peacocks grabbed 38 boards to the Jaspers' 31. Both teams committed 21 turnovers in the contest.
Lovisa Hagberg finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds while Kaydine Bent contributed 4 points, 7 caroms and 2 assists.
Emily Brown added 3 points (all on free throws), 5 boards, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
Allison Skrec led Manhattan with 15 points on 7-11 shooting.
Saint Peter's returns to action this Friday, as they host Fairfield at 7pm in the Yanitelli Center.
