Peacocks Ready For Quinnipiac Following Holiday Hiatus

JERSEY CITY, N.J. –  The Saint Peter's men's basketball team is all set to step back on the court on Friday, Jan. 3 to continue conference play against Quinnipiac. Tip off between the Peacocks and Bobcats is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Run Baby Run Arena.

The Peacocks (5-5, 0-2 MAAC) are coming off of a 72-64 victory over Delaware two weeks ago whereas the Bobcats (6-7, 2-0 MAAC) played more recently with a win over Hofstra this past Sunday. Saint Peter's is determined to pick up its first conference win of the season on Friday night after dropping its first two conference games vs. Manhattan and Iona.

Despite fouling out in the win over Delaware, Marcus Randolph still leads Saint Peter's in scoring with 15.2 points per game. While he was on the bench, Mouhamed Sow and Bryce Eaton kept the offense afloat, combining for 40 total points. Sow recorded a career-high 25 points (11-for-14 FG) while Eaton notched 15 on five 3-pointers. Eaton also pulled in 7 rebounds and dished out three assists to be named the MAAC Rookie of the Week for the second time this season.

While the offense had its way against the Blue Hens, it was the defense that won them the game. Saint Peter's currently leads the MAAC in fewest points allowed per game with 66.6. On the other end, Quinnipiac scores 71.4 points per game while shooting 40.0 percent from the field and 25.7 percent from 3-point range.

The Bobcats are led by junior forward Amarri Monroe and graduate forward Paul Otieno. Monroe is averaging 14.1 points per game while Otieno is averaging 12.7. The Quinnipiac defense ranks second in the conference in blocks (9.3) and steals (4.2) per game. Monroe leads the team with 36 steals and Otieno leads the team with 23 blocks.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Saint Peter's and Quinnipiac are two of the top three rebounding teams in the MAAC with the Peacocks averaging 37.8 rebounds per game and the Bobcats averaging 37.5. Winning the rebound battle could be the difference maker.

Junior guard Elijah Perkins played his first game of the season against Delaware and provided a spark off the bench for the Peacocks. He recorded five points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal. Perkins had a huge defensive impact and helped solidify the victory over the Blue Hens with an explosive late-game dunk.

Sophomore guard Armoni Zeigler set a new career-high in rebounds with 13 vs. Delaware. He also assisted four times and added eight of his own points to help elevate Saint Peter's offensive efforts.

The Bobcats rank last in the MAAC in 3-point shooting percentage (.257) and second in 3-pointers attempted with 327. Conversely, the Peacocks are first in the MAAC in opponent 3-point percentage (.275), and have given up the least amount of 3s in the conference, 26 less than the next fewest team.