ATLANTIC CITY, NJ- The Saint Peter's Peacocks left it all on the court in a gritty battle against Iona at historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on Tuesday afternoon but came up just short in a 40-42 defeat. Despite the tough outcome, Head Coach Jennifer Leedham expressed immense pride in her team's resilience and growth.
"I think for us, this isn't the ideal game or the outcome we wanted, but the way these ladies have fought and built this program throughout the whole season, I am super proud of," said Coach Leedham. "I don't think this outcome shapes our season at all. We are obviously disappointed and will be hungry for more next year, but I am really proud of the ladies and this season."
Iona came out strong, setting the pace early with aggressive defense, but the Peacocks quickly responded. Graduate student Laila Grant provided an early spark, sinking a three-pointer and attacking the rim for a driving layup to energize the team. Freshman De'Naya Rippey followed with back-to-back three-pointers, keeping Saint Peter's within reach heading into halftime.
On the defensive end, the Peacocks made their presence felt, forcing 18 Iona turnovers and contesting every shot. Fatmata Janneh dominated the boards with 18 rebounds, leading the team's relentless effort in the paint. Despite a strong push in the final minutes, Saint Peter's was unable to complete the comeback.
The Peacocks will return in November 2025 for their 2025-26 season, ready to build on their progress and bring even more intensity to the court. With a strong foundation in place, Saint Peter's will look to make an even bigger impact next year.
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