Box Score A career-high 24 points off the bench, and near NCAA three-point field goal percentage record, by freshman Bridget Whitfield was not enough, as the Saint Peter's University women's basketball team fell to the Siena College Saints, 70-67, this evening in Loudonville, NY.
Whitfield's 8-8 performance from three-point range marked a new Saint Peter's record and was good for second best in NCAA three-point field goal percentage history. She is just the 6th person to accomplish the feat and finished one trifecta shy of tying the record (9-9).
Additionally, it marks a new Metro Atlantic Athletic record for best three-point field goal percentage, previously held by Iona's Toni Horvath (7-7 vs. Siena, 2/4/04). It is also the second most three-pointers made in MAAC history in a conference game.
The previous Saint Peter's record for three-pointers made in a single game was 7, established by Tyonna Vance against Iona on March 4, 2004.
Before tonight's game, the San Diego, California native had scored 31 total points on the year.
The Peacocks led the hosts by 14 points at the half, paced by a season high 51.9% single half shooting percentage. Whitfield scored 15 points in the first half alone, going a perfect 5-5 from long distance to lead the squad to a 69.2 clip from beyond the arc.
A strong Siena second half however erased the double-digit Peacock advantage, as the hosts outscored Saint Peter's by a 46-29 margin en route to the three-point victory.
Aziza May (South Euclid, OH) contributed 21 points, eight assists, four steals and four boards in the loss. Kaydine Bent (Bronx, NY) also finished in double figures for Saint Peter's; contributing 10 points, while pulling down 6 boards.
Despite the loss, the Peacocks recorded their best shooting percentage of the year finishing at 45.5% (25-55), and acheived the highest three-point field goal percentage (54.2%) in two seasons dating back to when they connected on five of 10 three-pointers against Marist on February 21, 2011.
The Peacocks went into the first media timeout of the contest clinging to a 13-12 lead. Whitfield led the squad with 6 points, going 2-2 from three-point range. 9 of the team's 13 points came from long distance, as sophomore Antonia Smith (Bronx, NY) added a third trey right before the break.
Whitfield set a new career record in points in the 10th minute, draining her third three-ball in as many tries to put the Peacocks up 17-12. An 8-2 Siena spurt gave the hosts a brief 20-19 run, until Saint Peter's stormed ahead by way of a 16-0 run to establish a commanding 35-20 advantage with 3:21 to play.
The Peacocks maintained a double-digit advantage and went into the half-time break leading the Saints 38-24.
Whitfield led the Peacocks with 15 points in the stanza; scoring almost half of Saint Peter's points by going a perfect 5-5 from beyond the arc. May also finished in double-figures in the half, contributing 11 points on 4-5 shooting.
Overall, Saint Peter's shot a torrid 51.9% in the half; connecting on 9 of 13 three-point field goal attempts (69.2%).
Siena shot 31% from the floor, 25% from three-point range and 66.7% from the line. The Saints were led by Tehresa Coles' 10 points.
In the second half, Siena came within single digits on three occasions, coming as close as six points (54-48); but the Peacocks were able to regain a double-digit lead following a layup by Bent (59-48).
Six straight Siena points brought the hosts within five points (59-54); the closest they had been since the last five minutes of the first half.
The Peacocks managed to cling to a two-point lead to head into the under-four timeout leading 62-60 with 3:58 to play. Whitfield reopened a five-point lead following the intermission, draining a trifecta from straight away.
A conventional three-point play by Lily Grenci gave Siena their first lead since the 7:15 mark of the first half, but a layup by Bent put the Peacocks in front by a digit with 1:56 left to play.
60 seconds later later, Grenci would connect two free throws to give the hosts a 68-67 advantage.
Saint Peter's had possession of the ball with 28 seconds to play but committed a turnover- forcing them to foul. Grenci made three more foul shots to make the score 70-67. A three-point field goal attempt with a single second left on the clock fell short and sealed the victory for Siena.
Overall, Saint Peter's shot 45.5% from the floor, 54.2% from three-point range and 66.7% from the line. Siena shot 43.1%, 30% and 73.9%, respectively.
The Saints were led by Grenci's 21 points (8-9 from the line), 8 rebounds.
Saint Peter's returns home this Sunday, as they host Rider at 2pm in the Yanitelli Center.
