WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - The Saint Peter's University women's basketball team dropped a close 59-57 decision to their hOURglass rival Monmouth on Saturday afternoon. In a game where the score was rarely separated by more than five points, the Peacocks fell behind late and could not climb back against the Hawks.
Kendrea Williams scored a team-high 16 points in the contest.
How It Happened
- The Hawks jumped out to an early lead, going ahead of the Peacocks 4-0 inside the first two minutes of play on Saturday afternoon. Saint Peter's would soon even the score however, with Taiah Thornton and Briyanah Richardson hitting two consecutive shots.
- The Hawks would get out front 10-4 late in the first quarter until Richardson and Williams knocked down back-to-back triples, once again evening up the score, this time at 10 apiece. Williams, who had drawn a foul on her three-point shot, converted at the line to give the Peacocks their first lead of the day at 11-10.
- Saint Peter's would maintain its one-point advantage at the end of the first quarter, leading 15-14.
- Williams would go 3-for-3 from the line to start the fourth quarter, drawing her second foul of the day from beyond the arc and hitting the subsequent free throws. As had been a theme of the game, the Hawks climbed to go ahead 20-18, until Gabrielle Harris drew a foul on a successful layup, putting the Peacocks up 21-20.
- A 7-2 run from the Hawks near the end of the first half saw Monmouth extend its lead to as much as four points, with the score reading 27-23. However, a triple from Williams within the final minute of the first half would cut the opponents' lead to just one heading into the locker room.
- The Hawks would go up by five quickly in the first half, hitting two shots in the paint. A triple by Richardson and a quick steal and layup by Thornton on the following inbound would then tie the game once again for the Peacocks.
- Another three-pointer from Williams with just over five minutes to go in the third quarter would put Saint Peter's up 34-31. A free throw from Thornton and Williams's fourth three-pointer of the day gave the Peacocks their largest lead of the day at that point, going up 38-31 following a 12-0 run.
- Following a 10-2 run from the Hawks, Monmouth entered the final quarter of play leading 41-40.
- The Hawks took advantage in the final 10 minutes of play, hitting a pair of clutch three-pointers to start the quarter, along with successful trips to the free-throw line. After getting out to as much as a seven-point lead midway through the quarter, the Peacocks cut the lead to 54-50, following a triple from Thornton.
- A key steal from Pero with less than two minutes to go in regulation, which was then set up to Harris by way of Richardson, cut the Hawks lead to one with about a minute and a half remaining. Another Peacocks steal on the following phase would lead to a trip to the line for Richardson, who would go one-for-two and tie the game at 55-55.
- Down the stretch, two key Monmouth free throws gave them a 59-57 advantage. In the final seconds, with the clock running out, Richardson brought the ball up the floor and tried for a game-winning triple, but the ball fell short and the Hawks were able to hang on for the victory.
Inside The Numbers:
- The Peacocks' 12-0 scoring run during the third quarter was the best stretch by either side during Saturday's game.
- Williams finished the first half leading all scorers with 10 points, and would go on to finish with a team-high 16 points.
- The Peacocks finished the game short-staffed, with only three reserves after Yamel Abreu was injured in the second half with an apparent ankle injury.
Up Next:
- The Peacocks return to Jersey City for a four-game homestand, starting with Niagara on Thursday, February 13. The opening tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
