Courtesy of SaintPetersPeacocks.com
The Saint Peter’s University men’s basketball team (6-6) managed to battle back from a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat the Central Connecticut University State Blue Devils (4-6), 71-69. A layup off an offensive board by graduate student Pat Jackson with 11 seconds remaining gave the Peacocks their first lead of the game, and proved to be the game-winner.
Jackson, who helped lead the second-half charge, finished with a career-high 11 points (9 in the second stanza) and added 6 boards. Desi Washington led the squad with 15 markers; 10 of which came in the second half as well.
Yvon Raymond and Darius Conley also finished in double-figures for the Peacocks, contributing 11 points, 6 rebounds and 10 points, 9 rebounds, respectively.
With the win, the Peacocks sweep the non-conference regular season series against the Blue Devils, after they defeated CCSU 64-61 in their home opener on November 12th.
Saint Peter’s failed to attain a lead at any point prior to Jackson’s game winning basket in the last 11 seconds, as they trailed immediately following the opening tip. The Blue Devils opened up the contest with a 5-0 advantage, but five consecutive points by Desi Washington tied the score less than three minutes in.
A 10-2 run by the hosts put the Peacocks in a 15-7 hole nearing the twelve-minute mark. Saint Peter’s managed to come within a single basket on two separate occasions in the stanza, but CCSU regained separation and was able to head into the half-time break with a seven-point cushion (36-29).
For the half Saint Peter’s shot just 27.3%, while CCSU shot 43.3%. Darius Conley had a team-high 10 points in the stanza, on 4-8 shooting.
The Peacocks would open up the second frame with back-to-back buckets to cut the disadvantage to three, but the hosts eventually went on a 7-0 run to open up their first double-digit lead of the contest (45-35). A trey by Adonis Burbage at 12:07 gave the Blue Devils their largest advantage of the game (54-40).
CCSU seemed to be making their way towards victory, but the Peacocks continued to chip away and eventually came within single digits after Pat Jackson drained a free throw at 6:49.
With five minutes remaining in regulation, the visitors mounted their comeback by way of a 9-0 run, paced by 7 points from Washington. Washington’s three-ball with 3:36 on the clock tied the game at 66; the first time the Peacocks had knotted the score since the first three minutes of the opening frame.
The Blue Devils rattled off three consecutive points to regain their advantage, but another trey from Washington at 2:39 evened the score once again.
Both teams combined to go 0-4 from the floor in the ensuing minutes, until Jackson grabbed the board off Chris Burke‘s missed jumper and converted a lay up to give Saint Peter’s their first lead of the game.
The Blue Devils immediately called a time out and had the chance to even the score or take the lead, but a missed jumper by Kyle Vilanes with a tick on the clock sealed the win for Saint Peter’s.
Overall, the Peacocks shot 36.1% from the field, connecting on 26 of 72 shot attempts. The visitors shot 43.6% in the second half (17-39). Dunne’s squad drained 7-19 three-point attempts (36.8%) and knocked down 12 of their 15 free throw attempts (80%).
CCSU shot 43.9% from the floor, 43.8% from long distance and 70.6% from the charity stripe.
Saint Peter’s won the battle of the boards, edging the hosts 71-69 and committed 15 turnovers while forcing 12.
Blaise Ffrench finished with 4 points, 11 boards and 8 dimes.
The Blue Devils were led by Adonis Burbage’s game-high 25 points. Kyle Vinales (16) and Malcom McMillian (12) also finished in double-figures for Central Connecticut.
Saint Peter’s returns to action this Friday, as they open up MAAC play against Manhattan at 7pm in the Yanitelli Center.
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