By Pete Janny
The MAAC gave us a fun Monday with its revised conference calendar adding a third game to the December slate. And no mid-major scene was bustling more than Connecticut, which hosted three of the five MAAC games on Monday.
Fairfield’s Leo D. Mahoney Arena is an absolute gem. Arguably the nicest arena in traditional one-bid league CBB. What a treat.
Merrimack (7-7, 3-0 MAAC) and Quinnipiac (10-4, 3-0) each picked up wins over Sacred Heart (5-9, 1-2 MAAC) and Marist (8-4, 2-1 MAAC), respectively, before Saint Peter’s (6-5, 3-0 MAAC) concluded the trio of Nutmeg State games with a win over Fairfield (8-6, 0-3 MAAC).
In the nightcap, Saint Peter’s overcame a four-point halftime deficit to stun a Fairfield team that was held to three bench points. The Peacocks were able to pull out the win behind 17 points and 7 rebounds from Bryce Eaton, and 14 points and 8 rebounds from Brent Bland. Additionally, Zaakir Williamson used his length around the rim to post a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Saint Peter’s were at their best during a late 9-0 run that saw Bland take advantage of the Fairfield defense off the dribble. His explosive and-one lay-up plus the free throw gave the Peacocks a five-point cushion with 2:41 left. All told, Bland was responsible for 7 of the 9 points during the run.
Despite subpar metrics, Saint Peter’s plays with a chip on their shoulder and is beginning to open some eyes with their 3-0 start. Bashir Mason finds ways to squeeze out of every ounce of intensity led by the guards. At 292 in KenPom, and still eight slots behind Fairfield, Saint Peter’s has its work cut out for them if they want to make any kind of run in Atlantic City. After failing to qualify for MAAC Tournament last year, the Peacocks look to be in position to fix that this year especially with the bottom teams in the league really struggling.
Meanwhile, the goodwill that Fairfield was able to build after recent wins over Central Connecticut and Monmouth has been wiped away by an 0-3 start to MAAC play. The pressure is ramping up fast for Chris Casey and Co.
In the MAAC, crazier things have happened than an unheralded team securing the league’s auto bid. Remember this: Saint Peter’s and Mount St. Mary’s were the last two champions and both came on out of nowhere to cut down the nets in Atlantic City.
As the dead of winter in the northeast carries on, the race in the MAAC is only heating up. For now, Quinnipiac, Merrimack, and Saint Peter’s can like where they are.
