It was a tale of two halves for the women Peacocks.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, JERSEY CITY, NJ: After shooting 21 percent from the 3-point line in the first half, the Peacocks shot 75 percent from the 3-point line in the third quarter and 51 percent overall in the second half for a 61-55 victory over Canisius (2-13, 1-4 MAAC) Saturday afternoon at Yanitelli Center. It was the Peacocks’ first win in their last five attempts against the Golden Griffins.
And given how the second half went, it is hard to imagine it was 19-all at halftime.
Jennifer Leedham, Saint Peter’s head coach: The shots we had (but missed) were good looks in the first half. We would keep shooting, and it was nice to see Nikki (Nikola Zdenkova) get going.
Zdenkova hit four of the Peacocks’ nine 3-pointers in the second half after shooting 0-for-4 from the 3-point line in the first. She started the third quarter shooting a couple of 3-pointers, setting the home team to a 26-19 lead on a 7-0 run, and it seemed fitting that Zdenkova would give the Peacocks (5-9, 3-2) their biggest lead, 46-30, with another 3-pointer.
Fatmata Janneh pitched in, scoring 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-7 from the 3-point line. She earned her sixth double-double and second straight 10-rebound game. It was the eighth time this season that she scored 20 or more points. Laila Grant also hit a couple of 3-pointers in the third quarter to cap off a 12-point performance.
After having a 15-point advantage in the third quarter, Saint Peter’s led 46-31 going into the fourth. Zdenkova added one more 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, finishing with a 14-point performance on 5-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-8 from the 3-point line.
Fatmata Janneh (Photo, St, Peter’s Athletics)
“We emphasize running our offense from the post (Janneh),” Leedham answered about the 3-point shooting being the Peacocks’ identity. “Fatmata demands a lot of attention, so our players were able to get open and hit their shots.”
Not to be outdone, junior point guard Louella Allana dished out nine of Peacocks’ 17 assists, setting up shots by Zdenkova, Janneh, Grant, and De’Naya Rippey (eight points). She also had to make the Griffins’ leading scorer, Franka Wittenberg, earn 26 points.
“She’s an ultimate leader,” Leedham said of Allana. “She’s an international player who played at a high level of basketball. Her communication makes her a great leader.”
With Saturday’s win, Saint Peter’s completed a recent sweep of the MAAC’s Buffalo, NY-area teams, having already defeated Niagara at home on Thursday night. Next, the Peacocks play at Marist (7-8, 2-3) in a rare Thursday morning game (11 AM). Then, they return home next Saturday to play Sacred Heart (5-9, 1-4) in a 2 PM tilt. ESPN+ will televise both games.
