Saint Peter's defeats Marist 69-59
Saint Peter's Edges Marist in Narrow 10-Point Victory
In a back-and-forth contest, Saint Peter's (HOME) outlasted visiting Marist with a hard-fought 69-59 win on Monday night at the Yanitelli Center.
The Peacocks trailed by three points at halftime, but came roaring back to erase their deficit behind a strong second-half performance from Zaakir Williamson. The senior forward scored 10 of his 13 points in the final 20 minutes, including several key baskets that sparked Saint Peter's resurgence.
Williamson's hot streak was complemented by Jahki Gupton's steady play on the glass, where he pulled down eight rebounds and added four points to help stabilize the Peacocks' offense. Bryce Eaton chipped in with six assists, 11 points, and five rebounds, making him a well-rounded contributor for Saint Peter's.
Meanwhile, Marist struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just one of three three-point attempts, while Elijah Lewis led the way for the Red Foxes with 13 points on 36.4% shooting from the field. Jaden Daughtry provided additional scoring punch off the bench with six points and six rebounds.
Saint Peter's' ability to contain Marist's perimeter threats paid dividends in the second half. The Peacocks allowed just two three-pointers in the final 20 minutes, compared to four in the first half. By limiting Marist's outside shooting, Saint Peter's was able to dictate the pace of the game and capitalize on turnovers.
The Red Foxes struggled with turnovers themselves, committing 13 against Saint Peter's' defensive pressure. This allowed the Peacocks to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities. The advantage in turnovers also contributed to Saint Peter's' superior fast break points, where they outscored Marist 11-6.
In a closely contested game that saw both teams trade baskets, Saint Peter's' ability to stay composed under pressure ultimately paid off. With the win, the Peacocks improved their standing in the conference, while Marist will look to bounce back from its tough loss.