St. Peters broke the biggest shock of this NCAA competition, finishing 2nd, 10th and 15th. The Peacocks stunned Kentucky No. 2, the contender for the national title, with an 85-79 extra-time victory in the first round on Thursday in Indianapolis.
The win over Big Dance in the automatic auction of the Mid-Major and MAAC competition in St. Peters, New Jersey City Jersey saddened the failures of coach John Calibari’s tenure with Kentucky; This is his first first round defeat since taking charge of the project in 2009.
Daryl Banks III aggressively loaded the Peacocks (20-11), finishing with 27 points from five three-pointers. 1:45 The remaining banks’ free throws gave St. Peter’s 77-76 in extra time. Oscar Shipway, USA Today Sports National Player of the Year, excelled with large buckets in overtime. He finished with 30 points and 15 rebounds.
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But St. Peter’s junior defender Doug Edert (20 points from the bench) was the star of the game, playing in a time of crisis. When the Peacocks needed a basket to regain speed, his three-pointer was 75- with 2:41 remaining in overtime.
At the end of the regulation, the Edert clutch arrived. His runner tied it at 71 in 21 seconds and forced extra time, giving his three-pointer peacocks a 69-68 lead at 1:18 on the left wing. St. Peter’s defender Matthew Lee made two clutch free throws with 22 seconds left to help seal the game.
“I have guys who have a shoulder chip,” St. Peters coach Shaheen Holloway said after the game. “I have guys who think they can play for Kentucky.”
Kentucky shot itself in several ways, i.e. 1-to-6 from free-throw line in overtime. TyTy Washington pierced the three-pointer to reduce the deficit to 81-79 with 21 seconds left, but it was not enough to knock out the winner. The Wildgates (26-8), who come from a season of 9-16 defeats in 2020-21, looked to avenge last season and advance to the final four in the Eastern Region.
Follow college basketball reporter Scott Gleeson on Twitter CScottMGleeson.
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