ALBANY, NY (March 6, 2010) - The #4 Saint Peter’s College Peacocks (16-14) had their 2009-10 season come to an end this afternoon in a 69-57 loss to the #5 Rider University Broncs (17-15) in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Citizens Bank MAAC Basketball Championships. Rider started the game on a 17-3 run and Saint Peter’s trailed by 15 midway through the second half. The Peacocks cut the deficit down to six points twice in the final six minutes, but could get no closer, falling to Rider for the second straight year in the quarterfinals. Ryan Bacon recorded a double-double with a career-high 24 points and 13 rebounds.
“I am very disappointed with the outcome, although I thought we competed hard in the second half. We didn’t compete hard for 40 minutes which is what is disappointing,” said Saint Peter’ head coach John Dunne. “After the season that we had, we deserve to be playing tomorrow, but I tip my hat to Rider. They were the better team tonight led by Ryan Thompson who came out with fire in his eye and Mike Ringgold was great.”
Rider jumped right and took control of the contest, starting the game on a 17-3 run that gave them the 14-point advantage with 10:42 to play in the first half. Saint Peter’s made just one field goal in the first goal 10 minutes of the opening half. Wesley Jenkins then converted a three-point play to cut the deficit to 11 points, but the Broncs then went on a 9-2 run that expanded their advantage to 18 points at 26-8 with 5:28 to play in the opening half. Saint Peter’s then went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit down to 11-points at 26-15 with 2:44 to play. That was as close as the Peacocks would get in the first half and they trailed 32-17 at the break.
Bacon and Jeron Belin each scored six points to lead the Peacocks. Mike Ringgold and Ryan Thompson scored 10 each for the Broncs. Rider outshot Saint Peter’s 43.5% -33.3%, but the Peacocks outrebounded the Broncs 17-13. Saint Peter’s also turned the ball over 16 times which led to 20 of Rider’s points in the opening session.
Saint Peter’s cut the Rider lead down to 11 at 34-23 with 17:06 to play. Saint Peter’s trailed 49-34 with 9:30 to play and went on an 11-2 run, holding the Broncs to just two made free throws and cut the deficit to six points at 51-45 with 5:51 to play. Saint Peter’s then had an opportunity to cut the deficit to four points on the free throw line, but a pair of misses followed by a pair of Rider makes from the line extended their advantage back to eight points. Rider went 13-14 from the line in final five minutes to hold off the Peacocks and advance to the semifinals.
Bacon was 8-14 from the field and 8-11 from the line with eight offensive rebounds. Belin added 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Thompson led all scorers with 22 points, while Ringgold and Justin Robinson each added 15 points. The Peacocks shot just 32.8% from the field and allowed Rider to shoot 40%. Saint Peter’s controlled the glass, 44-29, including 21 offensive rebounds, but they turned the ball over 18 times, which led to 22 points for the Broncs.
