GAME NOTES: The Providence Friars will try to remain perfect at home when they host the Saint Peter's Peacocks this afternoon in a non-conference battle at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. The Peacocks head into this matchup stuck in a terrible slump. Since winning three straight games, Saint Peter's has dropped six consecutive matchups, including a tough, 89-78 overtime loss to Fairfield this past Friday. The Peacocks are 0-6 on the road this season and since the beginning of last year the team is just 2-18 away from home. As for the Friars, they have won three consecutive games, including a thrilling, 101-95 win over Florida State back on December 22nd. Since the start of last season the Friars have won 21 of 24 games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. The Friars lead the all-time series between the two schools by a 2-1 margin. The last matchup between Saint Peter's and Providence occurred during the 1971 season, and the Friars grabbed a 93-87 victory.

The last time Saint Peter's was on the court the team scored 78 points, but it was not enough, as the team fell in overtime to Fairfield. In the 11-point loss, the Peacocks shot a mediocre 43.8 percent from the field, but finished just 9-of-23 from long range and 5-of-14 from the foul line. Nick Leon led the way with 15 points, while Todd Sowell tallied 14 points to go along with an impressive 18 rebounds. Wesley Jenkins and Darrell Lampley contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the setback. Coming into tonight there is no question that Sowell is the main scoring option for Saint Peter's, as the forward is netting 13.6 ppg, while also grabbing a team-best 11.6 rpg. Jenkins and Raul Orta have also done well this season, as Jenkins is posting 13.4 ppg, while Orta is chipping in 11.5 ppg.

The Friars have played extremely well at the offensively end of the floor this season and come into this matchup averaging 77.5 ppg, while shooting a strong 45.9 percent from the field. The top scorer for Providence has been Weyinmi Efejuku, who is netting 13.1 ppg. Jeff Xavier and Brian McKenzie have also put forth a solid effort this year, posting 12.2 and 11.9 ppg, respectively. Geoff McDermott rounds out the double-figure scorers with 11.5 ppg, but the forward is also leading the team with 7.8 rpg and 51 assists. In the recent victory over Florida State, the Friars shot a scorching 57.6 percent from the floor, and that included an outstanding 12-of-20 clip from behind the arc. Xaiver paced the team with 27 points in the six-point win, while Efejuku poured in 25 points. Randall Hanke tallied 15 points, while McDermott contributed 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

The Friars should have no trouble getting past Saint Peter's. Providence is clearly better than the Peacocks in every aspect of the game.