JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Suffering through a scoring drought that saw them hit only two field goals the last eight minutes, St. Peter’s was defeated by Hampton 64-59 Tuesday at the Yanitelli Center. A few notes from this early non-conference matchup:
- Marvin Dominique is emerging as a primary option for St. Peter’s. The transfer from Fordham scored a game-high 31 points, while adding 14 rebounds (also a game pace setter) in the season opening loss at LIU-Brooklyn. A 6-7 junior forward, Dominique is effective in the open floor and half court as well. Some of his three-point attempts can be ill-timed but he can hit from deep just the same. Dominique should bean impact player in the MAAC for St. Peter’s this season. He wound up with a dozen points.
- St. Peter’s appeared to be in the driver’s seat. The Peacocks led 51-45 at the eight-minute (remaining) media time out. From that point on it was virtually all Hampton. “We missed free throws and our shot selection was not as good,” said St. Peter’s coach John Dunne. “Our defensive transtion really let us down the last few minutes.”
- Dunne was also quick to credit Hampton. The Pirates showed pose as they moved to 2-0. Da’Vaugh Maxwell, a 6-7 senior forward, proved a very tough matchup for St. Peter’s as he led all scorers with 20 points. The Manhattan native also showed strength on the other end, blocking five shots and pulling down six rebounds.A team looking to run and attack the basket, Hampton had only 11 turnovers, which is an impressive 17 percent (under 20 percent is the goal) for their 64 possessions.
- St. Peter’s is 0-2, but Dunne is encouraged. “Our next game is at Kent State, a team that defeated Temple,” he said. “Rather than worry too much about that, I just want our guys to come to practice, work and improve every day. We have eight new guys. We are learning the system and chemistry and what it takes to win.”
