Peacocks Soar in Conference Opener: Janneh and Grant Lead Saint Peter's to Victory Over Manhattan

RIVERDALE, NY- Saint Peter's University women's basketball sophomore Fatmata Janneh and graduate student Laila Grant scored in double-figures, as the Peacocks dominated Manhattan 62-49 in their first conference match-up.

WHAT HAPPENED
The Peacocks were off to a hot start, as junior Louella Allana shot beyond the three-point arc. Sophomore Fatmata Janneh had back-to-back layups, while graduate student Laila Grant followed up with a smooth three-pointer. The Peacocks held the Jaspers scoreless for over four minutes. Grant made a pull-up jumper and knocked down back-to-back three-pointers. At the end of the first the score was 22-10 Saint Peter's.

Grant opened the second quarter strong, sinking a three-pointer. Janneh drove to the basket tacking on two more points. Sophomore Emily O'Connell took a step back, draining a three-pointer. Janneh drove to the basket for a smooth layup, while Allana nailed a three-pointer from beyond the arc. At half the score was 37-16 Peacocks. 

Laila Grant wrapped up the first half on fire, hitting 83.3% from the floor, shooting 4-of-4 from beyond the three-point arc and tacking on 14 points.Janneh added solid support, shooting 50% from the floor, grabbing six rebounds and scoring 14 points.

Janneh opened the third quarter with a strong drive to the basket. Redshirt sophomore Nikola Zdenkova knocked down a three-pointer. Fatmata Janneh buried back-to-back layups, while Grant drained a three-pointer from long range. 

In the Peacocks final stretch, Janneh hit a clutch turnaround jumper. Zdenkova nailed a three-pointer extending the Peacocks lead. The final score was 62-49 Peacocks.

STATISTICS 
Fatmata Janneh delivered an outstanding performance, logging 36 minutes on the court and scoring 26 points with impressive efficiency. She shot 10-of-21 from the field (47.6%) and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Janneh dominated the boards with 12 rebounds, including 10 defensive and 2 offensive. 

Laila Grant had an impressive performance, playing 38 minutes and contributing 17 points with remarkable shooting accuracy. She went 6-of-11 from the field (54.5%), including a stellar 5-of-8 from beyond the arc (62.5%). Grant was active on the boards, securing 8 rebounds, with 6 defensive and 2 offensive. 

UP NEXT
The Peacocks return home as they continue their conference play against Iona. The match-up between the Gales and Peacocks will be Saturday Dec.21st.Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
 

--