JERSEY CITY, N.J. – A month ago, Fairfield defeated St. Peter’s on their home floor. On the Sunday afternoon MAAC contest, St. Peter’s returned the favor in the friendly confines of their Yanitelli Center with an impressive 61-44 victory over the Stags.
The points of emphasis:
Set the tone. St. Peter’s came out aggressive building a 9-2 lead and forcing Fairfield coach Jay Young to call time out before three minutes elapsed. The Peacocks were in an attack the basket mode and successfully getting in the paint from the earliest possessions. That fast start, in effect, put the visitors on their heels.
Defense. The Stags were held to 14 of 43 (33 percent) from two point range and 1 of 10 (10 percent) beyond the arc. Credit good solid lockdown defense on the part of St. Peter’s. Coach Shaheen Holloway’s club came out in a 2-3 zone with full court pressure following made baskets. Holloway changed defenses to give different looks and keep the Stags off balance.
Majur Majak. In mentioning defense, we would be woefully remiss not to mention St. Peter’s 7’1’ sophomore. He scored four points while grabbing seven rebounds and blocking five shots. Majak was a difference maker. Coach Jay Young’s Stags had difficulty getting any glimpse of an inside game. Statistics and numbers do not measure the altered or rushed shots Majak’s presence affected. “He’s (Majak) improving every game and a big reason for our success,” praised Holloway. “He’s a quiet kid who just comes to practice and works extremely hard.”
Dribble penetration. St. Peter’s constantly broke the Fairfield defense down by getting inside. The key figure in the attack was Aaron Estrada. The Peacocks’ freshman guard scored a game high 20 points. Estrada’s ability to penetrate enhanced his scoring opportunities as well as that of his teammates.
Staying focused. St. Peter’s moved into first place in the MAAC with Sunday’s victory. While maintaining top spot in the conference, Saint Peter’s is not allowing themselves to look too far ahead. Next up is a big game at Manhattan on Friday. “They are all big,” Holloway responded to the suggestion of this game as crucial. “That’s what we preach every day in our locker room. Every single game on our schedule is a big game.”
Numbers:
Possessions: 65
Offensive efficiency: St. Peter’s 94, Fairfield 68
Records: St. Peter’s 13-11 (10-5 MAAC), Fairfield 10-15 (6-8 MAAC)
Leading Scorers: Estrada, St. Peter’s 20, Fousseyni Drame, Saint Peter’s 11, Jesus Cruz, Fairfield 9
Notes: Dennis Kelly had a busy day. His son John plays for Fairfield, while the older son Rich, one of the best players in the MAAC, is in the Quinnipiac backcourt. Dennis stayed a half at St. Peter’s before getting on the road, making the hour trip to Rider to catch Rich’s game against the Broncs.
Dennis was a basketball official starting to rise through the college ranks before he put his career on hold to tour the MAAC and follow his sons.
Among those in attendance at Yanitelli were former Peacocks Tom Best and Shelton Gibbs. Both coach consistently strong high school programs in Jersey City. Best is at Lincoln as the girls mentor while Gibbs directs the Snyder boys.
Chris Casey, formerly of Niagara, is a Fairfield assistant. “First off, it’s great to be back coaching,” Casey said prior to the game. “To work with Jay Young is a bonus. He’s just an outstanding coach and individual.”
Joe Whalen was on hand as well. Whalen’s son Ryan assists Holloway on the St. Peter’s staff. A former assistant to Bob Hurley at St. Anthony, the elder Whalen assists John Giraldo at Matawan (NJ) High School. Giraldo had a great career at Marist (Bayonne, NJ) HS then Monmouth in the Nineties.
