HACKENSACK, NJ. - The Saint Peter's men's basketball team competed against FDU (3-1) on the road in "The Battle of the Bracket Busters" on Wednesday. The game came down to the final possession as the Peacocks (1-2) were defeated 71-70.
Three Peacocks scored in double-figures and notched career-highs. Saint Peter's was led by Michael Houge who tallied a team-high 19 points and 6 rebounds. Marcus Randolph scored 18 points. The University of Richmond transfer went 4-6 from three-point range. Brent Bland shot 3-6 from three and dropped 11 points.
FDU led in a tightly-contested first half. The Knights closed out the half on a 7-2 run and were up 43-34 at halftime. The Peacocks mounted a comeback effort in the second half sparked by Randolph and Houge. Down 52-38, Randolph scored 12 of the next 14 points for Saint Peter's. Following a corner three-pointer from the SPU junior, the Peacocks trailed 58-51 with 8:08 left in the game. Down 66-53 with under five minutes, Saint Peter's went on a 9-0 run capped off by Randolph's fourth three-pointer at the 2:39 mark.
Houge produced offensively down the stretch for Saint Peter's. The SPU junior scored seven straight points in the final 1:51.The Knights led 69-64 with 1:21. With under a minute left in the game, Houge hit a contested layup and got fouled. The Michigan native's free throw cut the SPU deficit to two with 59 seconds left. Saint Peter's took a 70-69 lead when Houge knocked down a three-pointer with nine seconds left in the game. A Saint Peter's foul put the Knights at the line with two seconds. FDU's Devante Jamison converted both free throws as SPU's comeback came up short.
Next, the Peacocks play at home for the first time this season. Saint Peter's hosts Umass Lowell (3-0) at Run Baby Run Arena on Monday, Nov. 20. The game tips-off at 7 PM, and will be on ESPN+.
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