Just got in an hour ago from a trip to Yanitelli Center on the campus of St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, where the Peacocks of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) took on the Highlanders NJIT of the Great West Conference. It was a competitive game for the most part, but St. Peter’s was able to pull away late for the 65-54 victory.
Colonia’s Brandon Hall started for St. Peter’s, and gave a spirited effort on both sides of the ball. However, NJIT, which was without the services of its two top players: Gary Garris and South Brunswick’s Dan Stonkus, which were still sidelined due to pre-season injuries, showed a lot of heart and determination. The Peacocks had double digit leads at several points in the game, but couldn’t shake the Highlanders, which got as close as 48-45 on a 7-0 run over a 1:57 span after trailing 48-38 with just under 9 minutes to play.
Unfortunately for NJIT, they were unable to get any closer. Although St. Peter’s suffered a potentially big loss when former Columbia standout, Ryan Bacon, went down with an injury, and had to be assisted off the court with 16:41 to play, it found a way to keep the Highlanders at arm’s length for the victory. Key moments in the game were the following: 1) With 6:08 to play, former St. Benedict’s standout, Jheryl Wilson of NJIT just missed a three pointer from the top of the key that would have tied the game. 2) After the Peacocks got a follow from Jeron Belin at the 4:19 mark, NJIT’s Drejon Scott stepped on the end line for a turnover with 3:58 left, and the score 52-48. 3) Darius Conley picked up his fourth foul for St. Peter’s, but Scott misfired on the front end of a one and one with 2:25 to go. 4) Nick Leon netted a three pointer with 2:10 to play to give the Peacock’s a 55-48 lead.
From there, St. Peter’s, which had lost to Fairfield on Sunday, outscored the visitors from Newark by a score of 10-6 the rest of the way to wrap up the 65-54 victory. This was the seventh college hoops game covered by GMC Hoops this season with still at least two more to go. On Thursday night, the site will be back over at Middlesex County College to see the Blue Colts again in action against Northampton Community College from Pennsylvania in a Region XIX matchup. Then, on Friday, the site finishes up the week by traveling over to Montclair State College to see the Red Hawks take on Staten Island College.
GMC Hoops College Coverage–Results–December 9, 2009
- St. Peter’s College 65–NJIT 54