Saint Peter's defeats Fairfield 66-70
Saint Peter's Stuns Fairfield in Dramatic 70-66 Comeback Victory
In a thrilling conference matchup, the visiting Saint Peter's Peacocks erased a four-point halftime deficit to claim a hard-fought 70-66 victory over the home Fairfield Stags at Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Wednesday night.
The Peacocks' stunning comeback served as the primary storyline of the game, which saw both teams engage in a back-and-forth affair that ultimately favored Saint Peter's. The largest lead by either team came when the Peacocks held a seven-point advantage late in the fourth quarter.
Saint Peter's junior forward Zaakir Williamson led the way for his team with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Bryce Eaton chipped in with 17 points, including four assists.
Fairfield, meanwhile, was paced by senior Braden Sparks' 22 points, along with a strong all-around effort from Brandon Benjamin. The Stags' 36 rebounds were not enough to overcome the Peacocks' balanced attack.
The game's turning point came at halftime, when Saint Peter's trailed by four points. The Peacocks responded with an aggressive second-half push, outscoring Fairfield 39-31 in the period to take the lead for good.
Advanced statistics told a story of Saint Peter's efficient offense and Fairfield's struggles from beyond the arc. The Peacocks shot 43.6% from the field, while their opponents managed just 40.0%. On the other hand, Fairfield struggled with three-point shooting, going 29.0% from beyond the arc compared to the Peacocks' 24.0%.
Saint Peter's demonstrated its ability to capitalize on fast break opportunities, scoring 16 points in transition and limiting Fairfield to just 11. The Peacocks also outrebounded their opponents, grabbing 44 boards to Fairfield's 36.
In the end, it was Saint Peter's that emerged victorious, thanks to a strong team effort that saw all five starters score at least seven points. The win marked a significant bounce-back for the Peacocks, who had struggled in recent games against tough opponents.
The loss drops Fairfield to 0-1 in conference play, while Saint Peter's moves to 2-0 in the process.