Peacocks Begin Conference Action Against Canisius And Niagara

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The Saint Peter's women's basketball team begins MAAC competition with two high profile road matchups. On Friday, Dec. 19 against Canisius at 6:30pm ET and then Sunday, Dec. 21 at Niagara with a 12:00pm ET tip-off. Both of the contests will be streamed live on ESPN +

The Peacocks start conference competition after falling in the final non-conference game against FDU on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Run Baby Run Arena with a final score of 34-57. Saint Peter's with an incredible defensive performance, holding the Knights well below their average scoring margin of 63.8 points per game. Another double digit scoring performance from De'Naya Rippey with 13 points, the seventh time this season she has scored in double figures. Carys Roy also returned to form, leading the Peacocks in rebounds with 10, the first time grabbing double digit boards since Feb. 1 against Niagara. 

For the Golden Griffins, they enter this matchup on a two game winning streak with a 75-60 victory over Mercyhurst and then a 65-60 victory over Wright State. In the victories, Shariah Gailes was sensational for Canisius, scoring a combined 48 points in both victories. In fact, Gailes currently sits fourth in the MAAC in scoring averaging 14.9 points per game and is third in field goal percentage at 50.0 percent. 

With the Purple Eagles, Niagara comes in at a record of 0-9 having recently dropped their final non-conference game against Cleveland State 52-84. Talia Dial was the leading scorer for Niagara, posting 15 points and knocking down four 3-pointers as well. 

Last season the Peacocks split the series with the Golden Griffins 1-1 and then swept the Purple Eagles 2-0. The wins for Saint Peter's came on Jan. 9, Jan. 11, and Mar. 6, outscoring both teams by a total of 211 points to a combined 163 from both schools. Overall records between the opposing teams sit at 37 wins to 40 losses against Canisius, and 50 wins to 33 losses against Niagara.