Box Score ALBANY, N.Y. – Desi Washington (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) scored 22 points to lead Saint Peter's past Siena 69-55 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men's basketball action on Sunday.
Washington connected on 7 of his 12 from the floor, 3 of 5 from behind the arc and 5 of 6 from the free throw line for his third 20-point performance this season. During the 17-3 run in the second half that put the game away, Washington posted eight points in that spurt.
Marvin Dominique (Miramar, Fla./Miramar) added 17 points and eight rebounds for the Peacocks (10-11, 4-6 MAAC) while Quadir Welton (Philadelphia, Pa./Math, Civics and Science Charter) chipped in 12 points in the winning effort.
"Today was probably one of our Top-5 performances of the year," said head coach John Dunne. "We focused on playing together and playing with energy."
Lavon Long powered the Saints (8-11, 5-5 MAAC) with 14 points in the loss.
Saint Peter's took the lead for good in the final six minutes of the first half and then used a strong run in the second half to put the game away to earn its second-straight win against Siena. The Peacocks ended a two-game losing streak at the Times Union Center, the home of the 2015 MAAC Tournament Championships in March.
Saint Peter's closed the first half on an 11-4 run to go into the locker room with a 32-25 advantage.
After Long tied the game at 21 with six minutes left in the stanza, the Peacocks scored the next seven points. Tyler Gaskins (Roswell, Ga./Centennial) started the run with a layup at 5:30 before Welton scored in the paint at 4:55. After Washington hit 1 of 2 at the free throw line, Gaskins capped the 7-0 spurt with a layup at 3:37 for a 28-21 advantage.
Rob Poole stopped the run with two free throws at 3:17 and Evan Hymes scored in the lane with three minutes on the clock to trim the margin to 28-25.
Saint Peter's scored the final four points thanks to Welton, who hit a layup and went 2 of 4 from the charity stripe for a 32-25 lead at the break.
The game remained close to start the second half, but after Long trimmed the margin to 38-32 with 15:22 left, the Peacocks went on a 17-3 run to pull away over the next six minutes.
Washington started a 10-0 run with a trey at 14:48 before Dominique hit a jumper at 14:23. After Washington hit two free throw at the 14-minute mark, Dominique drained a triple at 13:21. Hawkins then drilled a jumper at 12:15 before Washington capped the 10 unanswered points with a 3-ball at 11:28 for a 53-32 advantage.
Ryan Oliver momentarily halted the offensive outburst, but Washington and Dominique each scored in the lane to give Saint Peter's a 57-35 advantage with 9:05 left.
Siena closed the final five minutes by scoring 12 of the final 15 points to set the final score at 69-55.
The Peacocks started the game by scoring 10 of the first 12 points to take a 10-2 lead in the first five minutes. Dominique had five of the 10 points in the run.
The Saints then rallied to tie the game at 19 thanks to a 17-9 run powered by six points from Wright. After the two teams traded baskets, Saint Peter's closed the half by scoring 11 of 15 points and then used a strong second half to end a two-game losing streak.
Gaskins finished with nine points while Trevis Wyche (Neptune, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep) registered nine assists, four steals, two points and a rebound in the win.
The Jersey City team shot over 50 percent from the floor for the third time this season and improved to 3-0 in those contests.
Saint Peter's returns to action on Thursday at home in an ESPN 3 doubleheader. The Peacocks women will host Niagara at 5 p.m. for Kid's Day Out before the men's squad will welcome Rider to town in an hOURglass Rivalry matchup at 8 p.m. The first 200 students in attendance will receive a free t-shirt while all fans are encourage to wear their Peacocks gear for Spirit Night.
