Marist’s Rally Falls Short Against Saint Peter’s

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Marist women’s basketball team fell to Saint Peter’s, 73-69, on Dec. 3 in front of a boisterous crowd in McCann Arena.

The loss snaps Marist’s two game win streak and moves their record to 2-7 overall and 1-1 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play this season. Saint Peter’s picked up its first win of the season and is also 1-1 in conference play.

After trailing for much of the second half, sophomore forward Maura Fitzpatrick attempted to orchestrate a comeback for the Red Foxes. She scored 19 of her career-high 25 points in the final two quarters to bring Marist back from a deficit that climbed as high as 13 points.
Late in the fourth quarter Fitzpatrick and the Red Foxes were able to cut the lead down to three. Freshman guard Hannah Hand knocked down a huge three with a minute left in the game to tie the score at 67.

The Marist defense failed to get the stop it needed on the ensuing possession, allowing the Peacocks to get a layup from freshman forward Zoe Pero.

The Red Foxes started out red hot from behind the arc in the first quarter, scoring 18 of their first 20 points on three point shots.  Sophomore guard Claire Oberdorf started the Marist three-point frenzy, hitting two early in the first quarter. Sophomore forward Lovisa Henningsdottir and freshmen guards Hannah Hand and Rebekah Hand all added threes in the first quarter as well. Junior forward Kendall Baab knocked down a three as the first quarter expired to push Marist head by five.

Saint Peter’s would answer with some hot shooting of its own in the second quarter. Sophomore guard Janelle Mullen started the period by knocking down a three on the Peacock’s first three possessions of the second quarter. Saint Peter’s would knock down five or their seven three point attempts in the second, outscoring Marist 25-10 in the quarter and taking a 40-30 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Saint Peter’s controlled much of the second half with stifling defense and continued success from three point range, hitting 13 of their 23 threes in the game. Mullen finished with a team-high 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting from behind the arc. Freshman guard Sammy Lochner added 13 more points for the Peacocks.

All five of Marist’s starters scored double digit points today, as Oberdorf added 11 on 3-for-7 from three point range.

The Saint Peter’s bench provided a much needed spark for the Peacocks’ offense, scoring 39 points.

The Red Foxes will host Boston University in McCann Arena, on Saturday December 10. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on the backend of a doubleheader with the men’s team.