Box Score POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Saint Peter's women's basketball team fell to Marist, 71-42, in conference play Thursday night.
Antonia Smith (Bronx, N.Y./Dwight School) put together a strong performance, recording a career-high 26 points. Aziza May (South Euclid, Ohio/Charles F. Brush) and Kaydine Bent (Bronx, N.Y./Harry S. Truman) finished with five points each in the loss.
The Peacocks opened up the game strong, with Smith hitting her first three shots to give Saint Peter's a 6-0 advantage. The Red Foxes countered with back-to-back 3-pointers to knot the game at six.
Saint Peter's answered with a 3-ball from Smith a layup from Bent to give them an 11-6 lead. Marist answered with three straight points to cut the deficit to two. Following a Marist foul, May hit one of two from the line to keep Saint Peter's out in front 12-9. The Red Foxes responded with consecutive layups from Emma O'Connor to give Marist a 13-12 lead.
The Peacocks answered with another jumper from Smith to give Saint Peter's back the lead. Marist countered with a field goal from Tori Jarosz to retake the lead. Smith was feeling it, hitting another jumper to give Saint Peter's the lead. Next possession, Marist drilled a 3-pointer to give them an 18-16 advantage.
Following a Saint Peter's timeout, both teams exchanged baskets to keep Marist out in front, 20-18. After a Marist miss, Teresa Corchado (Willingboro, N.J./Camden Catholic) banked a 3-pointer to give the Peacocks a 21-20 lead. The Red Foxes answered with a 3-ball from Leanne Ockenden to give Marist back the lead. Saint Peter's countered with a field goal from Smith to knot the game at 23.
With the game knotted at 23, Marist went on an 8-0, capped off by back-to-back field goals from Katharine Forgarty to take a 31-23 lead into the locker room.
Saint Peter's opened up the second half with a jumper from Bent to cut the deficit. Marist responded with a layup to hold a 33-25 lead. Neechelle Ingram (Pocono Summit, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) made one of two from the line to cut the Marist lead. The Red Foxes countered with a pair of free throws from Casey Dunlin to extend the Marist lead.
Following a made free throw from Bent, Marist went on an 8-0 spurt, capped off by back-to-back field goals from O'Connor to open up a 43-27 advantage. Following a free throw from May, Marist pulled away, going on a 6-2 run to open up a 49-30 lead.
Saint Peter's and Marist exchanged baskets, with the Red Foxes on top, 52-32. The Red Foxes began an 11-0 run, fueled by O'Connor, to give Marist a 64-32 advantage. The Peacocks stopped the run with a field goal from Smith. Marist countered with consecutive baskets to extend its lead. Marist went on to win the contest, 71-42.
O'Connor led the offensive attack for the Red Foxes, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds. Ockenden and Madeline Blais notched 13 points each in the win.
With the loss, Saint Peter's drops to 3-15 overall and 2-7 in MAAC play. Marist improves to 14-5, including an 8-1 conference record.
The Peacocks return to action Jan. 26, when they continue its road trip at Iona College
