Saint Peter's Falls Short in NET Rankings Clash

Saint Peter's University visited the Siena College Saints at the MVP Arena on Saturday, resulting in a decisive 9-point victory for the home team, 72-63. Siena, ranked 188th in the NET, took control from the outset, leading Saint Peter's University, ranked 231st, by 14 points at halftime, 37-23. Despite a strong second-half effort from the Peacocks, Siena maintained its lead, ultimately securing a 72-63 win.

The Saints' second-half advantage was just 2 points, 35-33, but they managed to hold off the Peacocks' late surge, outscoring them by 9 points in the final 20 minutes to secure the victory.

A 29-point, 10-rebound performance from Gavin Doty set the tone for Siena, as the freshman standout proved to be a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor. His efficient shooting from the field and the free throw line, going 5-11 from the field and 10-12 from the charity stripe, was particularly noteworthy, as he consistently drew contact and capitalized on the opportunities presented to him.

With the game on the line, Antonio Chandler's dominance inside was crucial, as he corralled 10 rebounds and blocked one shot to anchor Siena's defense. Chandler's 16 points also came at a crucial juncture, as he found ways to score efficiently from the field and the free throw line, shooting 6-9 from the field and 4-4 from the stripe. Meanwhile, Riley Mulvey's all-around effort, including 13 points and 9 rebounds, provided a much-needed boost to Siena's offense, as he capitalized on his opportunities and made the most of his limited shot attempts, going 4-5 from the field and 5-5 from the free throw line.

Bryce Eaton's 17 points on 5-13 shooting from the field and 4-6 from beyond the arc were a bright spot for Saint Peter's, but ultimately fell short in their 63-72 loss to Siena. His 6 assists were a team high, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Saints' balanced offense.

Despite his solid rebounding effort, Lucas Scroggins was held to just 11 points on 5-6 shooting, a modest total considering his size and skillset. Eric Morgan Jr.'s 10 points on 4-9 shooting from the field and 1-4 from three-point range were also below his usual standards, as he struggled to find his rhythm in the game.

The rest of the roster for both teams largely adhered to their established season averages.

The final score may have exceeded the pre-game prediction by a margin of 5.1 points, but the outcome itself was not a surprise. Siena's strong performance was anticipated, and their ability to capitalize on their advantages ultimately decided the game.

Siena's dominance on the glass and from beyond the arc were the primary factors in their decisive victory. The Saints' ability to secure 34.8% of their own rebounds, a season-high rate, allowed them to maintain possession and limit Saint Peter's scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, Siena's three-point shooting, which saw a season-high 33.3% conversion rate, proved to be the difference-maker, as they made key shots throughout the contest to pull away from the Peacocks.

The loss for Saint Peter's serves as a significant setback in their quest for the MAAC conference tournament auto-bid, as they now trail Siena by three games in the conference standings. With this defeat, Saint Peter's must win at least two of their final three regular-season games to maintain a realistic chance at securing the top seed in the MAAC tournament. Conversely, Siena's victory strengthens their position as a prime candidate for the top seed, as they have now taken the lead in the conference standings. However, Siena's performance against weaker opponents will be crucial in determining their momentum heading into the conference tournament. For Saint Peter's, this loss raises concerns about their ability to navigate the MAAC tournament, while Siena's victory provides a much-needed boost to their confidence. The Saints' program trajectory has taken a significant step forward with this win, and they will look to build on this momentum as they close out their regular season.