JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Saint Peter's University women's basketball team finished off its regular season Saturday (March 7), defeating Iona College in a 15-point comeback win on Senior Day. As fitting as it could have been, senior captain
Zoe Pero led the Peacocks on all fronts in her final home game, finishing with a double-double and a season-high 17 points.
How It Happened
- The Peacocks fell behind early in Saturday's contest, dropping to a 9-2 disadvantage midway through the opening quarter. Pero accounted for the Peacocks first two baskets on the day, and was able to cut the score to 9-4.
- Each team would put up three more points by the end of the quarter, bringing the score to 12-7 with the Gaels out in front.
- Iona began the second quarter on a 6-2 run, as the sole basket from the Peacocks in the first three minutes of the second stanza came off a jumper from Wil'lisha Jackson on the Peacocks' first possession.
- Following four consecutive made free throws from Briyanah Richardson and Gabrielle Harris late in the first half, the Peacocks were able to chip away at the Iona lead, narrowing the advantage to 18-13.
- The Peacocks found more difficulty from the floor to start the second half, only putting up four points over the first six minutes of play, as Iona extended its lead to 11 points (30-19). A key layup from Pero midway through the third quarter put the Peacocks over 20 points on the day.
- Following Pero's fifth straight point for the Peacocks in the third period, the score was brought to 33-24 to the Gaels. A last-second Iona three-pointer at the end of the frame handed the Gaels their largest lead of the day, entering the fourth quarter leading 39-24.
- Saint Peter's came out firing in the final quarter of play, going on a 10-2 run in the first three minutes of the period, cutting the Iona lead to 41-34. The scoring run featured the Peacocks' first two triples of the day from Richardson and Kendrea Williams.
- A pivotal three-pointer from Williams with just over two minutes left to play, Thornton grabbed a key steal, passing the ball into the paint for Pero, who drew the foul and sank both free throws, cutting the Iona lead to 50-46. A layup by Pero on the next possession would then bring the Peacocks to within two as the board read 50-48.
- Williams then hit the go-ahead triple on the following possession, putting the Peacocks up 51-50 with 54 seconds left in regulation. The Peacocks then hit four straight shots from the charity stripe and held the Gaels scoreless for the final minute to take the victory.
Inside The Numbers:
- Aside from points, Pero also led the team in a slew of other categories, including field goal percentage (66.7), rebounds (10), free throws (5), and free throw percentage (83.3).
- Saturday's game marks the fifth contest this season in which Pero has eclipsed the 10 point mark, reaching it midway through the third quarter against the Gaels.
- The Peacocks only lead for 54 seconds in Saturday's contest, gaining their first lead of the day late in the fourth quarter.
- Saint Peter's was able to out-do Iona on the defensive boards, grabbing 26 rebounds compared to Iona's 23.
- All three triples for the Peacocks came in the fourth quarter, as Saint Peter's entered the final frame 0-for-8 from beyond the arc.
- Saint Peter's outscored their opponents 31-11 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
- 37 of the Peacocks 52 points on Saturday came in the final quarter of action.
Up Next:
- The Peacocks will prepare for the 2020 Hercules Tires MAAC Basketball Championships. The team will play on Tuesday, March 10 in the opening round against a to-be-determined opponent. Check our Championship Central page throughout the weekend for up-to-date schedule information for next week's tournament.
