Saint Peter's dominated Rider 69-58 at the Yanitelli Center, with Zaakir Williamson leading the charge. Williamson's impressive double-double, consisting of 20 points and 11 rebounds, propelled the Peacocks to their 11th win of the season. The victory was never really in doubt, as Saint Peter's took a 34-29 lead into halftime and maintained a comfortable margin throughout the second half.
Williamson was the standout performer, but he wasn't the only one to impress. Lucas Scroggins and Bryce Eaton chipped in with 10 points each, while Flash Burton led Rider with 18 points and 6 assists. Burton's efforts were valiant, but ultimately not enough to overcome the Peacocks' balanced attack. Davis Bynum and Caleb Smith also had notable games for Rider, with Bynum recording a double-double of his own (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Smith adding 10 points and 8 rebounds.
The game unfolded with Saint Peter's taking control early, using a 10-2 run in the first half to build a 24-15 lead. Rider fought back to trim the deficit to 5 points at halftime, but the Peacocks pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Broncs 35-29. Saint Peter's' defense was stout, holding Rider to just 29 points in each half and limiting the Broncs to 36% shooting from the field.
With the win, Saint Peter's improves to 11-6 on the season, while Rider falls to 2-17. The Peacocks' victory was expected, given their significant advantage in terms of net ranking (232 vs. 358). However, the margin of victory was still impressive, and Williamson's performance will surely be a confidence booster for the sophomore forward.
In terms of tournament implications, this game won't do much to boost either team's resume. For Saint Peter's, the win is considered a Quadrant 4 victory, which won't carry much weight in the eyes of the selection committee. For Rider, the loss is a Quadrant 3 defeat, which is slightly more respectable but still not ideal. As the season wears on, both teams must focus on picking up quality wins to improve their tournament chances.
For now, Saint Peter's can enjoy the win and look to build on Williamson's impressive performance. The Peacocks' 11th win of the season is a reflection of their growth and development, and they'll look to keep rolling as they navigate the remainder of their schedule. As for Rider, the Broncs must regroup and refocus, hoping to snap their current skid and pick up some momentum in the coming weeks. The loss to Saint Peter's won't be a resume-killer, but it's still a missed opportunity for a team desperate for quality wins.