Box Score HAMDEN, Conn. – Sophomore Trevis Wyche (Neptune, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep) had a strong first half and fellow sophomore Quadir Welton (Philadelphia, Pa./Math, Civics And Science Charter) had a strong second half to propel Saint Peter's past Quinnipiac 66-60 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men's basketball action on Friday.
Wyche went 5-for-7 from the floor in the first half including 2 of 4 from behind the arc to finish with 12 points to help the Peacocks (7-7, 1-2 MAAC) jump out to a 29-21 advantage going into the locker room. Wyche, who had a career-best 16 points in both meetings last season against the Bobcats, finished the contest with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Welton had four points and six rebounds in the first 20 minutes of the tilt and then posted nine points and seven rebounds in the second to finish with his second career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The sophomore came up big especially down the stretch when Quinnipiac was trying to make a run to cut into the Saint Peter's double-digit advantage.
Senior Desi Washington (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin [Delaware State]) added 17 points and five rebounds in his first conference game of the year.
Zaid Hearst powered the Bobcats (6-6, 0-3 MAAC) with 26 points and 11 rebounds. The senior only had two points and two rebounds in the first half after picking up two quick fouls.
Saint Peter's used a strong finish to the first half and then went toe-to-toe with Quinnipiac in the second half to earn the squad's first league win of the year and to win its third-straight contest.
The Peacocks closed the first half with a 22-12 run to take a 29-21 advantage going into the locker room.
Trailing 9-7, Washington started the run with a triple at 11:16. After Evan Conti hit a jumper to give the Bobcats an 11-10 lead nine minutes into the tilt, the Peacocks used a 16-4 spurt to grab a 22-15 margin.
Welton started the surge with a layup at 10:45 Wyche hit a jumper at 9:30 and a layup at 8:07 to give Saint Peter's a 16-11 lead.
James Ford and Conti momentarily halted the run by going 4 of 5 from the free throw line to cut the deficit to 16-15, but the Peacocks rolled off the next 10 points for a 26-15 advantage.
Wyche opened the run with a trey at 6:14. Welton and Wyche then both scored in the lane before Patterson nailed a triple to cap the run at 4:05 for a nine-point lead.
Quinnipiac closed the half by scoring six of the final nine points to make it an eight-point game at the break.
In the second half, Saint Peter's extended the lead to 12 points on several occasions, but the game became interesting in the final three minutes of the contest after the Bobcats made a run to cut the margin to a six-point game a couple of times, but could get no closer and the Peacocks came away with their first win at the TD Bank Arena.
Welton had his first career double-double since posting 16 points and 10 rebounds against LIU Brooklyn in his collegiate debut on Nov. 9, 2013. It was the sophomore's eighth career double-digit point game and the seventh on the road.
Saint Peter's has won three-straight for the second time this season and is 7-3 in its last 10 games.
The Peacocks return to action on Sunday at home against Marist. Game time is 3 p.m. and is the second part of a doubleheader with the women's basketball team. The Saint Peter's women's team will host Siena at 12 p.m.
