Byrd’s Free Throw Lifts Marist Over St. Peter’s

By Mike Ferraro

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Hakim Byrd hit the game-winning free throw with 1.9 seconds left as the Marist men’s basketball team defeated Saint Peter’s, 51-50, in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game on Saturday night.

Marist scored the game’s first nine points as the Red Foxes held the Peacocks scoreless for the first 5:43.

The Red Foxes extended their lead to 15-4 as they held the Peacocks scoreless for a span of 5:52.

Raheim Sullivan’s buzzer-beating three-pointer gave Marist a 25-16 lead going to the locker room.

The Red Foxes led by at least three for the first 15 minutes of the second half. With 3:22 to play, Doug Edert’s three-pointer brought Saint Peter’s to within two. Fousseyni Drame’s two free throws 59 seconds later tied the score at 46.

Ricardo Wright’s two free throws with 2:06 left put Marist back up by two, but KC Ndefo tied the game at the 1:25 mark.

Hakim Byrd’s driving layup gave Marist a 50-48 advantage with 16.3 seconds remaining, but Ndefo’s dunk tied the score seven seconds later.

With 1.9 seconds remaining, Byrd was fouled. He hit the first of his two free throws to provide the decisive margin.