JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Jake Wojcik scored a team-high 15 points while Jesus Cruz came off the bench to add 10 points as the Fairfield University men's basketball team dropped a 66-49 decision at Saint Peter's University on Sunday evening.

              After the two teams combined for 34 points in the first half of Saturday's game, Fairfield and Saint Peter's found a better offensive rhythm tonight. The Peacocks opened the game with a three-point field goal from KC Ndefo, a shot that would start a career night for the forward. Ndefo went on to score a career-high with 20 points and just missed a double-double by one rebound.

              Fairfield tied the game when Zach Crisler connected from long range, the first of his two three pointers in the game. Keeping the distance shooting going, Saint Peter's regained the lead with five straight points which included a three-point shot from Daryl Banks III. The Stags rallied for seven straight points to take their only lead of the game at 10-8 with 13:43 on the clock as Jesus Cruz converted three free throws which Taj Benning and Supreme Cook followed with a pair of short-range jumpers.

              Saint Peter's came back with its own string of points as it tallied eight straight points to recapture the lead at 16-10 with 10 minutes remaining in the half. Wojcik cut that deficit in half with a three pointer, the first of three baskets from behind the arc in as many attempts. Taj Benning added a free throw to pull the Stags within a pair of points at 16-14. The Peacocks extended their lead by wrapping a pair of three pointers around a Caleb Green basket to bring the score to 22-16.

              The home team would more than double that lead by halftime as the Peacocks secured a 35-22 advantage into the locker room.

              Just as he did in the first half, Crisler opened the half with a three-point field goal to bring Fairfield within 10 points. Fairfield would come within six points with 12 minutes remaining after Cook converted one of two free throws, making the score 42-36. Saint Peter's put the game out of reach with an 11-2 run that pushed the lead to 15 points with 6:34 on the clock.

              "We needed to come out with the same defensive intensity as we had last night but did not," Head Coach Jay Young said. "We knew Saint Peter's would play with an edge after losing yesterday. They are a talented and well-coached team. They did not allow us to get on the offensive glass like we did last night. Tonight, we did not have the same focus."

              Banks III finished the game with 18 points while Matthew Lee came off the bench to add 10 points for the Peacocks. Cruz added a team-high five rebounds to go along with his 10 points off the bench.

              Fairfield will return home for its final two home games of the 2020-21 campaign when it hosts Canisius College at Alumni Hall on February 19 and 20. Both games are scheduled for a 5 pm start.