JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Saint Peter's men's basketball team started strong vs. Merrimack but slowed down in the second half which led to a 37-48 defeat on Thursday at Run Baby Run Arena.
Despite the Peacocks (7-9, 2-6 MAAC) holding a 17-point lead at one point in the game, their offense was shut down in the final 20 minutes as the Warriors (10-9, 7-1 MAAC) came back. SPU went just 4-for-31 from the field after halftime, including 1-for-12 from long range and 1-for-5 from the charity stripe.
The Peacocks outrebounded Merrimack 44-to-30, recorded more assists, more bench points, more points off turnovers and more second-chance points than the Warriors, but it still wasn't enough for the win.
Saint Peter's next game is on the road vs. Rider on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. ET.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF: Saint Peter's opened the game on a 7-0 run made up of a layup from
Armoni Zeigler, a
Mouhamed Sow jumper and a 3-pointer from
Marcus Randolph. Out of a Merrimack timeout, the Warriors recorded their first points of the game before
Bryce Eaton knocked down another 3 for the Peacocks.
With under 13 minutes to go,
Adetokunbo Bakare hit a shot from behind the arc to extend Saint Peter's lead to eight at 13-5. The Peacocks held the Warriors scoreless for over five-and-a-half minutes as a steal by Bakare led to an AND 1 fastbreak layup for Randolph. Randolph hit the free throw, putting the Peacocks up 16-5.
Saint Peter's continued to shut down Merrimack's offense, allowing just two points over the next seven minutes. The Peacocks held a 24-7 lead with 6:28 remaining in the first half. The Warriors started to get things going with 10 unanswered points, cutting their deficit to just seven at 17-24.
Out of a media timeout, Merrimack hit two more buckets to make it 21-24.
Jakai Sanders checked into the game and banked in a 3-pointer for the Peacocks. Saint Peter's led 27-24 at halftime, despite the Warriors finishing the half on a 17-3 run.
SECOND HALF: Saint Peter's and Merrimack started the second half with dunks, making it 29-26. Neither team scored over the next three minutes when a media timeout stopped play at 15:50.
Jaquel Morris ended the scoring drought for the Peacocks with a layup. Just a few possessions later Merrimack tied the game at 31-31.
Out of a media timeout, the Warriors took their first lead of the game with a stepback jumper. They then hit a 3-pointer to go up 36-31. Eaton responded with a floater as the Peacocks came within three, forcing a Merrimack timeout. The Warriors scored the next seven points, taking a 43-33 lead.
Saint Peter's couldn't manage enough offensive production in the second half to keep up with the Warriors, falling 37-48.
UP NEXT
The Peacocks will hit the road next week to play Rider on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
NOTES
Saint Peter's moves to 2-1 all-time vs. Merrimack and 2-1 vs. the Warriors at home…
Jaquel Morris recorded 13 rebounds for a new SPU career-high…the Peacocks pulled in 19 offensive boards, tying their most in a game this season…Saint Peter's was +14 in the rebound column for its third largest margin of the season.
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