GAME NOTES: The Saint Peter's Peacocks shoot for just their second victory since the end of November this afternoon as they challenge fellow Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference member Rider on the big stage at the new Prudential Center in Newark. On Friday night, the Peacocks were dismissed by Niagara at home by a final of 79-59, marking the team's sixth consecutive loss and the 13th in the last 14 games overall. As for the Broncs, they entered the weekend tied for first place in the MAAC standings with a mark of 7-2, thanks to a 93-80 victory over Manhattan on Thursday night. The win was the sixth in a row for Rider, with the team having lost back-to-back games only once this entire season. The Peacocks currently own a 21-18 lead in the all-time series against the Broncs, with the teams slated to meet once again at the end of February at Rider.

Rider went from shooting 63 percent from the field in the first half to an astounding 68 percent in the second, as it took out Manhattan with relative ease. Offsetting an unsightly 20 turnovers, the Broncs made good on an incredible 14-of-20 shots from behind the three-point line, with backup Lamar Johnson accounting for 7-of-8 accuracy out on the perimeter for his 23 points in just 21 minutes of action. Jason Thompson registered a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds and Ryan Thompson another 15 points in the win. Jason Thompson, a 55.1 percent shooter from the floor in 20 starts this season, is one of only a handful of players in Division I who is averaging a double-double at the moment with his 19.9 ppg and 11.2 rpg, both of which lead the program. Add to that a team-best 56 blocked shots and 57 assists and it is clear why he needs to be considered the front-runner for MAAC Player of the Year honors. Ryan Thompson is another fantastic all-around performer for the Broncs, posting 15.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg and leading the unit with 77 assists and 33 steals.

The Peacocks appeared to be within striking distance of Niagara at least at the half, but then the home team made just 29 percent from the field in the second stanza, including a dismal 1-of-9 behind the three-point line. Shooting just 2-of-9 out on the perimeter himself, Darrell Lampley came off the bench and tallied a team-best 16 points for Saint Peter's, although he also accounted for six of their 19 turnovers. Nick Leon chipped in with 12 points and five miscues. One of four players averaging double figures at the moment, Lampley is responsible for 10.3 ppg even though he is shooting just 33.1 percent from the field and 29.2 percent out on the perimeter. Todd Sowell accounts for team- highs of 12.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest, followed by Wesley Jenkins and his 12.3 ppg, even though the latter is shooting better from three-point range (.407) than he is the field overall (.377).

With far too many primary players shooting poorly from the field this season, the Peacocks are setting themselves up for yet another dismal ending to a campaign that began with a ray of hope.