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Saint Peter’s Davauhnte Turner Tallies Career-High Against Niagara

The Saint Peter’s men’s basketball team’s second half comeback was led by Davauhnte Turner’s career-high 22 points, but it fell through after a Niagara University three-point buzzer beater to steal the game at 73-70 on Sunday afternoon. The Peacocks are now 2-4 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and 8-9 overall after back-to-back losses in Western New York.

Samuel Idowu and Nnamdi Enechionyia poured in a pair of 12 points while Idowu notched a game-high seven rebounds. Nick Griffin added nine points to the board and Cameron Jones with eight points. Elijah Gonzales recorded a team-high four assists for the second consecutive game.

With the win, Niagara (11-8, 4-2 MAAC) is on a four-game winning streak with MAAC leading scorers Matt Scott, 23 points, and Kahlil Dukes, 21 points.

The Purple Eagles had the early jump on the Peacocks after making their first four out of five shots, gaining the lead at 10-2. Griffin hit a mid-ranger and Idowu followed with a layup to trail 10-6.

Turner took matters into his own hands and scored 12 out of the final 20 points for Saint Peter’s in the first half. He got into his rhythm by driving in for a layup, adding two more points to the board for 15-8. He then drained a three from downtown and went hard in the paint once again, putting SPU at digits, trailing 22-15.

Niagara continued to go at it, having the 24-19 advantage, but Turner made five straight points to get Saint Peter’s just within one possession at 29-24 with 1:33 left in the half.

Enechionyia got into the mix with a put back layup, putting the Peacocks within one possession again at 29-26, but the Purple Eagles didn’t give them the satisfaction as they went into the half with a 33-26 lead.

Saint Peter’s got off to a rough start in the beginning of the second half, falling behind by double-digits at 38-26, forcing a timeout. After that, the Peacocks regrouped and outscored the Purple Eagles 15-7, led by Enechionyuia’s eight out of 15 SPU points, coming in close at 45-41.

The reigns were then handed over to Turner who led a 10-6 run behind a pair of layups and three-balls, tying the game at 51-51. Jones put a hold on Niagara’s lead after knocking down two consecutive three-pointers, keeping the game within two, 59-57.

The Purple Eagles regained control of the contest by stretching their lead to 66-59 with six minutes left in regulation. Griffin and Idowu drove in for two made baskets, Griffin also added another shot from downtown, to keep the Peacocks in the game.

Niagara’s Scott sunk a jumper to have the 72-70 lead with just 1:36 left. Both teams fought for the final point, Mamadou Ndiaye had an opportunity for a three-ball, but missed as Niagara grabbed the defensive board. The Purple Eagles also missed their chance to seal the deal which left the Peacocks with 29.1 seconds.

Enechionyia pulled up in the paint through contact, but nothing was called as Niagara snatched the rebound. SPU was called for a bench technical foul, giving Niagara the extra point to close-out at 73-70. Turner hustled for a three-pointer but it didn’t fall through.

The Peacocks will host two games at the Yanitelli Center this week. The first will be against hOURglass Rival, Rider, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 18. The second will be Manhattan at noon on Sunday, January 21.

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