Saint Peter’s MAAC Quarterfinal Game to Be Televised on ESPN+

Saint Peter’s men’s basketball will play Fairfield in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference quarterfinals Friday night, with the game scheduled to be televised on ESPN+.

The No. two seeded Peacocks, who finished the regular season with a 17-11 overall record and a 14-6 conference mark, will face No. seven seed Fairfield at 8:30 p.m. ET at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Saint Peter’s defeated Fairfield twice during the regular season, winning 70-66 on the road and 83-74 at home. Friday’s contest marks the 135th meeting between the programs and the 17th time they have met in the MAAC Tournament.

Guard Brent Bland has led Saint Peter’s this season and was recently named to the All-MAAC First Team by the league’s 13 head coaches. Bland averaged 14 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game during the regular season.

The Peacocks’ frontcourt of Zaakir Williamson, Lucas Scroggins, and Jahki Gupton has combined for seven double doubles this season. Williamson averages 8.7 points per game, while Gupton averages 7.9 points. Scroggins leads the team with 2.9 offensive rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

Fairfield enters the quarterfinal after a 71-60 win against Manhattan in the first round of the MAAC Championship. The Stags shot 38.5 percent from the field and had four players score in double figures, led by Braden Sparks with 17 points.

Fairfield has won four of its last five games and is coached by Chris Casey, who is in his second season with the program.

Saint Peter’s holds a 69-65 advantage in the all time series and has won the last four meetings between the teams. The Peacocks are 9-7 against Fairfield in MAAC Tournament play.