Jersey City –The Saint Peter’s College Peacocks (3-7, 1-1 MAAC) fell to the Marist College Red Foxes (8-2, 2-0 MAAC) on Sunday, December 10, 89-70, at the Yanitelli Center. The Red Foxes showed their shooting prowess this afternoon as they shot 63.5% from the field and 45.8% from behind the arc. Kevin Spannled the Peacocks with 21 points, while Will Whittingtonalso scored 21 points for Marist.
Marist showed why they were the preseason favorite in the MAAC right from the opening tip as they scored the first six points to take a 6-0 lead. Saint Peter’s scored the next four points, but Marist answered to take a 9-4 lead. With the score 9-6, the Red Foxes went on an 8-0 run, taking a 17-6 lead with 12:33 to play. The Peacocks got to within six points several times, but Marist had an answer for every Saint Peter’s shot. The Peacocks were down 37-31 with a minute to play, but Whittington hit a triple with 37-seconds to play, giving the Red Foxes a 40-31 lead heading into the break.
Spann scored 10 points in the first half, while Todd Sowelladded eight points for Saint Peter’s. James Smithscored a team-high 11 points for Marist. Whittington and Jared Jordaneach added seven points for the Red Foxes.
Marist immediately expanded their cushion to 12 points in first two minutes of the second half. Saint Peter’s got the deficit back down to nine points at 50-41 with 15:20 to play, but the Red Foxes went on a little 5-0 run to take their advantage up to a game-high 14 points at 55-41 with 14:15 to play. Marist then went on an extended 12-6 run, giving them their largest lead at 67-47 with 8:03 left in the game. Saint Peter’s went on an 8-2 run to cut the deficit back to 14 points with 6:21 to play, but Marist again answered as MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, Jordan knocked down a three-pointer to give the Red Foxes a 17 point advantage. Saint Peter’s could not get any closer than 15 points for the rest of the contest and fell by the 19-point margin.
Spann went 6-11 from the field and 6-6 from the line for Saint Peter’s. Sowell finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Raul Ortascored 10 points, had four rebounds and three assists. Whittington was 7-10 from the field and 5-7 from behind the arc for Marist. Smith added 18 points, while Kaylen Gregoryscored 13 points. Jordan ended up with 10 points and 10 assists.
Saint Peter’s will have an 11-day layoff before heading to Greensboro, NC to take on the UNC-Greensboro Spartans on December 21st. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm and the game can be heard live at www.redzonemedia.com.
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