QUEENS, N.Y. (Nov. 13, 2021) - Freshmen Jaylen Murray and Clarence Rupert both scored in double figures but the Saint Peter's men's basketball team could not overcome 10 first half 3-pointers by St. John's University as they fell 91-70 Saturday at Carnesecca Arena.
The Red Storm came out of the gates hot, starting the game by jumping ahead 27-9 with 18 of their first 27 points coming on 3-pointers. The Peacocks were unable to overcome the early deficit as they dropped to 0-2 on the young season while SJU improved to 2-0.
SPU showed fight, however, as the Johnnies held just a 57-56 edge over the final 27 minutes of game action.
Playing in just their second collegiate contests, both Murray and Rupert were strong off the bench as they each produced 11 points. Murray did most of his damage from downtown, going 3 for 3 from 3-point range while Rupert was extremely efficient, going 4 for 5 from the floor in the contest.
After shooting 33.3 percent from the floor in the first half, the Peacocks improved to shoot 50.0 percent in the second while also going 4 for 10 from beyond the arc.
Trailing by 23 just before the break, Marty Silvera hit a 3-point bucket with seven seconds left that cut the deficit down to 20 and Doug Edert made the first basket of the second half to make the score 47-29.
Preseason All-American Julian Champagnie made sure SPU could not get any closer as he scored eight of the St. John's first 16 points of the second half and the Red Storm re-extend the lead to 27 at 65-38.
Trailing 82-59, the Peacocks used an 8-2 run fueled by four points from Hassan Drame to bring things back within 20 before SJU closed things out for the 21-point win.
Inside the Numbers
- SPU held the edge in a number of offensive statistical categories, including points off turnovers (23-20), bench points (50-37), and points in the paint (32-30).
- The Peacocks also outrebounded the Johnnies 37-36 led by seven boards apiece from Hassan and Fousseyni Drame.
- Both Murray and Silvera knocked down three 3-point baskets in the contest to lead SPU.
- Four of Hassan Drame's came on the offensive side of the ball as he nearly reached double figures with nine points.
- SPU assisted on 14 of their 26 made shots in the game while SJU had 20 assists on 30 made buckets.
Up Next
- The Peacocks return to the court Wednesday as they travel back into the state of New York to face off against Wagner University at 7:00 p.m. in Staten Island.
- It will be the first matchup between SPU and the Seahawks since Nov. 20, 2019 that Wagner won 81-77 in overtime.
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