WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Saint Peter's men's basketball team jumped back into the top spot on the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) standings, following its 81-69 road victory at hOURglass Rival Monmouth University on Sunday afternoon. The Peacocks conference record improves to 8-5, good for a first-place tie with Rider, while the team's overall record improves to .500 at 11-11.
How it Happened
- Saint Peter's opened the contest with an 8-2 lead. Majur Majak and Aaron Estrada each scored three points during the early run.
- The early lead would evaporate over the game's next 3:07, with Monmouth going on a 14-0 run.
- Trailing by eight, the Peacocks outscored the Hawks 14-4, with the run being sparked by back-to-back triples from Doug Edert and a feed from Derrick Woods to Fousseyni Drame for a layup, giving Saint Peter's the 24-22 lead (5:05).
- The rivalry would tie a couple more times in the half and the Peacocks would trail 33-29 at break. 10 Peacocks' scored in the first 20 minutes of action, led by Edert's six points.
- In the second half, Saint Peter's used a quick four-point spurt to retake the lead (36-35) following a layup by F. Drame and a steal at midcourt and fastbreak layup by Quinn Taylor on the ensuing possession.
- After the Hawks regained the lead and led the Peacocks by five, Saint Peter's used consecutive three-point plays to retake the lead for the final time in the afternoon. First, Taylor connected on a layup plus the free throw after getting fouled. Then, Cameron Jones hit a three-pointer that gave the Peacocks a 46-45 edge.
- The Peacocks maintained the lead and only allowed Monmouth to tie the game once at 55, before taking a 66-62 lead into the final media break of the game.
- With under four minutes remaining, Ndefo made a putback layup and knocked down a pair of free throws, extending the advantage to 70-63.
- Ahead by five with 1:28 to go, Saint Peter's was clutch down the stretch defensively and at the charity stripe, scoring the final nine points at the line to secure the 81-69 road win.
Inside the Numbers
- All 11 Peacocks to see action on the day scored at least two points in the win.
- This was the second consecutive game and 12th time this season, that at least 10 different Peacocks scored a point.
- Leading the way for Saint Peter's was the veteran duo of Taylor and Jones who each recorded season-highs of 15 points and 14 points, respectively. Taylor also led the team in rebounds (9) and assists (4), while Jones made three steals defensively.
- Estrada was the final Peacock in double-figures, scoring 11 points. F. Drame chipped in with nine points and Ndefo added seven points to the team total.
- Defensively, Ndefo made three steals and two blocks to continue his tear as the MAACs top defensive player.
- Saint Peter's had game advantages over Monmouth in rebounds (43-33), points in the paint (36-20), second chance points (10-0), fast break points (20-15), and bench points (39-13).
- This was the Peacocks' ninth overall 40-rebound performance of the season and the first for the team since the last meeting with Monmouth on Jan. 29, when the Peacocks pulled down 41 boards.
- Saint Peter's connected on 25-of-34 free throws. The 25 freebies tied for the second-most made free throws by the team in a single game this season.
- The win for the Peacocks was the first in West Long Branch in five years and it awarded Saint Peter's the regular season sweep over Monmouth --- the first series sweep since 2013-14.
Up Next
- Saint Peter's returns to Jersey City next weekend for a two-game stanza with Quinnipiac (Feb. 14) and Fairfield (Feb. 16).
