Box Score LEWISTON, N.Y. – The Saint Peter's women's basketball team was defeated, 78-46 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on Friday.
Aziza May (South Euclid, Ohio/Charles F. Brush) finished with a team-high 13 points. Kylie Garrett (Mt. Orab, Ohio/Western Brown) recorded her first collegiate points, scoring nine points in the loss.
In the first half, the Purple Eagles began with a 15-2 run, fueled by three straight baskets from Chanel Johnson. The Peacocks responded with back-to-back field goals from May and Kaydine Bent (Bronx, N.Y./Harry S. Truman) to take cut the deficit, 15-7. The Purple Eagles countered with a pair of field goals to extend its lead. A layup from Bent brought the Peacocks within 10.
With Niagara out in front 19-9, a layup from Sam Lapszyski extended the advantage. The Peacocks responded with a 3-ball from May to bring the deficit within single digits. The Purple Eagles countered with a jumper from Johnson to keep a 23-12 lead. Saint Peter's answered with a field goal from Bridget Whitfield (San Diego, Calif./La Costa Canyon) to cut the Niagara lead.
With the score 23-14, Niagara went go on a 7-0 run to maintain a 30-14 advantage. Garrett would stop the run with a 3-ball. Niagara answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to expand its lead. Saint Peter's responded with consecutive baskets to cut the deficit. Following a basket from Gabby Baldasare, May hit a 3-pointer to trim the Niagara lead. The Purple Eagles countered with a pair of free throws to take a 40-25 lead. Saint Peter's responded with a trey from Whitfield cut the deficit to 12. Each team would exchange a basket in the final minute, with Niagara out in front 42-30 heading into the locker room.
Niagara opened up the second half with a 10-0 run to take a 52-30 advantage. The Peacocks stopped the scoreless run with back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit. Niagara responded with a 20-5 run, to take a 72-39 lead.
Saint Peter's would cut its deficit following a layup from Neechelle Ingram (Pocono Summit, Pa./Pocono Mountain East). Niagara countered with four straight points to extend its lead. The Peacocks responded with five consecutive points, capped off by a layup from Kaycee DeVoogd (Edison, N.J./New Providence) to cut the lead. Niagara countered with a field goal, taking the game 78-46.
The Purple Eagles finished with three players in double-figures, including Johnson who finished with 12.
With the loss, Saint Peter's falls to 2-10 overall and 1-2 in conference play. The Purple Eagles snap a four-game skid and improve to 3-9 overall this season.
Saint Peter's continues its New York road trip Sunday, when the team travels to take on Canisius.
