The Saint Peter's Peacocks held off the Fairfield Stags 83-74 in a game that saw the home team's offense click on all cylinders, with TJ Robinson leading the charge with 21 points, including 5 crucial points in the final 5 minutes to seal the win. Saint Peter's shot 51.9% from the field, including 7-17 from three, with Brent Bland and Shaedon Simpson chipping in 15 and 12 points, respectively. The Peacocks' 43-point first half set the tone for the game, as they built a 20-point lead by halftime, with Fairfield struggling to find their rhythm, scoring just 23 points in the first 20 minutes. Fairfield's Declan Wucherpfennig tried to mount a comeback, scoring 23 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, but it was too little, too late, as Saint Peter's maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half, outscoring Fairfield 40-51 in the final 20 minutes.
As the game wore on, it became clear that Saint Peter's was the better team, with a more balanced offense and a stifling defense that held Fairfield to just 39.7% shooting from the field. The Peacocks' recent form had been solid, with a 3-2 record over their last 5 games, including wins over Siena and Manhattan, and they looked like a team on a mission, with 4 players scoring in double figures. Fairfield, on the other hand, had been on a roll, with a 4-1 record over their last 5 games, including wins over Marist and Sacred Heart, but they couldn't overcome their poor first half, which saw them shoot just 28.6% from the field. The Stags' 51-point second half was a significant improvement, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit, as Saint Peter's held on for the 9-point win.
Beyond the numbers, it was clear that TJ Robinson was the difference-maker for Saint Peter's, hitting several big shots in the second half to keep Fairfield at bay. Brent Bland was also instrumental, using his quickness to get into the lane and draw fouls, shooting 7-8 from the free throw line. For Fairfield, Declan Wucherpfennig was a force to be reckoned with, using his size and strength to score in the paint and grab rebounds. However, the Stags' supporting cast was largely absent, with Braden Sparks and Brandon Benjamin combining for just 29 points on 10-25 shooting. Saint Peter's, on the other hand, had a balanced attack, with 4 players scoring in double figures, and their bench outscoring Fairfield's 22-15.
The win was a significant one for Saint Peter's, who improved to 15-9 on the season and 8-6 in conference play. The Peacocks have been playing well of late, with a 3-2 record over their last 5 games, and this win should give them confidence heading into the final stretch of the season. CHD Scout had predicted a 4.5-point win for Saint Peter's, and while the actual margin was 9 points, it was clear that the Peacocks were the better team.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The prediction was correct, and it's clear that the model accurately accounted for Saint Peter's balanced offense and stifling defense. The Peacocks' ability to shoot 51.9% from the field and hold Fairfield to just 39.7% shooting was the key to their win, and it's likely that the model took these factors into account when making its prediction. Additionally, the model likely factored in Saint Peter's recent form, which has seen them average 73 points per game over their last 5 contests, while holding opponents to just 71.4 points per game.
As for Fairfield, the loss drops them to 16-11 on the season and 10-6 in conference play. The Stags had been playing well of late, with a 4-1 record over their last 5 games, but this loss is a setback. They'll need to regroup and refocus if they want to make a push for the conference title. Saint Peter's, on the other hand, is looking like a team that could make some noise in the conference tournament, with their balanced offense and stifling defense making them a formidable opponent. The Peacocks have a tough schedule ahead of them, with games against Rider and Quinnipiac looming, but if they can continue to play like they did against Fairfield, they could be a dark horse contender.
The win is a significant one for Saint Peter's, who improved their NET ranking to 232 and picked up a Quadrant 4 win. While the Peacocks are still a long shot to make the NCAA tournament, this win should give them some hope. They have a few more Quadrant 4 games on their schedule, and if they can win those, they could potentially play their way onto the bubble. For Fairfield, the loss is a setback, but they're still in good shape, with a NET ranking of 239 and a 10-6 record in conference play. They'll need to regroup and refocus if they want to make a push for the conference title, but they're still very much in the mix. The Stags have a few tough games ahead of them, including a matchup against Iona, but if they can win those, they could potentially lock up a top-4 seed in the conference tournament.