Men's Basketball Closes Three-Game Homestand with Contest Against Nyack

The Particulars
Saint Peter's (2-5, 1-1 MAAC) vs. Nyack (3-5, 1-0 CACC)
Date: Sunday, Dec. 12 (1:00 PM)
Location: Run Baby Run Arena
Network: ESPN3

Tip-Off

• After dropping Wednesday night's matchup agaisnt St. Francis Brooklyn, the Peacocks return to Run Baby Run Arena for the last of three straight home games against Nyack College.
• The Peacocks come into the matchup coming off a 71-60 loss to Nyack Wednesday while the Warriors knocked off Caldwell College 76-74 at home against Caldwell College.

Angel Giving Tree Toy Drive

• In partnership with Saint Peter's Campus Ministry and The Jersey City Fire Department, Saint Peter's Athletics presents the Angel Giving Tree Toy Drive. Fans are encouraged to bring gifts to the game, which will be donated to those in need. All fans that bring an unopened, new toy/gift will receive a complimentary ticket to the game!

Spectator Policy

• All guests ages 12 and older must provide proof of a completed series of World Health Organization (WHO)-approved COVID-19 vaccination.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Full vaccination is achieved two weeks following a person's second dose of a two-dose vaccine series such as Pfizer and Moderna, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson.
• Masks are required at all events inside the Yanitelli Center regardless of vaccination status.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination may be demonstrated by displaying a photo or hard copy of a CDC vaccination card, NJ DOCKET app, New York State Excelsior App, or an official vaccination record. We ask that you have such proof readily available prior to arriving at the venue.
• Anyone 18 years or older must also present an appropriate ID with proof of vaccination, which must contain the name of the individual, and a photo of the individual or the individual's date of birth. Examples of acceptable forms of identification include but are not limited to: a driver's license, non-driver government ID card, passport and/or school or work-issued ID card. 

Looking Back at St. Francis Brooklyn

• The Peacocks led by four points at halftime but could not hold on to the lead, dropping a 71-60 decision at home against the Peacocks.
• The Terriers had four players score in double figures on the night, led by 18 points from Larry Moreno, to improve to 1-8 while the Peacocks were led by a 10-point, five-rebound effort by Fousseyni Drame, falling to 2-5.
• SPU also got a pair of nine-point efforts from both Daryl Banks III and Isiah Dasher while KC Ndefo finished with eight points and a team-high six boards.
• With his six rebounds in the contest, Ndefo became just the 19th student-athlete in program history to amass 500 career rebounds. He now needs just 121 more points to be just the 11th player in program history to join the exclusive 1,000-point, 500-rebound club. He would also be the second player to reach 1,000 points, 500 boards and 200 blocks in their career (Ryan Bacon).

The Series

• It is the first meeting all-time between Nyack and Saint Peter's. 

Notes and Nuggets

• SPU will take on the Warriors (Division II) looking to stop a two-game losing skid after dropping home contests to Siena and St. Francis Brooklyn.
• Headlining the group for the Peacocks is KC Ndefo, who claimed the honor of 2021-22 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, as well as a spot on the preseason all-league first team. Ndefo leads the conference with 1.86 blocked shots per game and ranks fifth in the NCAA among active players in career blocks.
• Daryl Banks III, a Preseason All-MAAC Second Team selection, leads the Peacocks averaging 12.0 points per game this season. He has scored in double figures in four of SPU's seven games on the year.
• Junior guard Doug Edert joins Banks III in double figures with 10.6 points per contest with a pair of 17-point games to his ledger. Edert has scored in double figures in four of the Peacocks' seven games as well.
• Fousseyni Drame is the team's leading rebounder, ranking fourth in the MAAC with 7.4 boards per game. Drame led the Peacocks with 10 points and five boards in Sunday's contest against the Terriers.
• The Peacocks head into the contest with one of the top pressure teams in the conference, ranking second in the MAAC with 16.86 forced turnovers and 9.0 steals per game.

Nitty Gritty on Nyack

• The Warriors, an NCAA Division II institution competing in the Central Athletic Collegiate Conference, come into the contest with a 3-4 record having already played one Division I opponent (Seton Hall) earlier this season.
• Nyack is led offensively by Isayas Aris who is averaging 19.3 points and 10.4 per game this season and is currently shooting 56.3 percent from the floor. Aris ranks eighth in all of DII with five double-doubles in seven games on the year.
• Both Joel Bailey and Jayden Dawson join Aris in double figures averaging 11.9 points per game each this season. 
• The Warriors lead the CACC and rank 27th in the country with 9.6 steals per game.
• Nyack has struggled defensively thus far this season, ranking 294 of 297 teams in DII allowing 90.0 points per game to opponents on the year. 

Up Next

• The Peacocks will travel to Stony Brook, N.Y., to take on Stony Brook University Saturday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
• SPU holds a narrow 2-1 edge over the Seawolves in the series, winning each of the last two meetings between the programs.

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