Saint Peter’s tops Murray State; Peacocks only 3rd 15-seed to ever reach Sweet 16

INDIANAPOLIS — Saint Peter’s broke the hearts of Kentuckians but once more, getting 17 factors from KC Ndefo to beat Murray State 70-60 on Saturday night time within the second spherical of the NCAA Match and full its rise from obscurity into the Candy 16.

Two days after tossing eight-time nationwide champion Kentucky out of the bracket, the tiny Jesuit faculty from Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey, grew to become the third 15 seed to advance to a regional semifinal, becoming a member of Oral Roberts final yr and Florida Gulf Coast in 2013.

Saint Peter’s (21-11) ended a 21-game successful streak and a memorable season for Murray State (31-3), situated 265 miles from Lexington in Kentucky’s southeastern nook.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE MARCH MADNESS COVERAGE

The recollections will likely be lifelong for the Peacocks and coach Shaheen Holloway, a North Jersey hoops lifer who performed at Seton Corridor and apprenticed there as an assistant. On Friday, Pirates coach Kevin Willard endorsed Holloway as his substitute if he departs within the offseason.

Holloway has extra quick issues: making ready his group for an East Area semifinal on Friday in Philadelphia towards Texas or Purdue.

Doug Edert got here off the bench to attain 13 factors for the Peacocks, together with some massive baskets late. Saint Peter’s constructed a 13-point lead early within the second half and by no means trailed, however Murray State nonetheless made it tense. Justice Hill hit a 3-pointer to get the Racers inside 59-57 with 4:07 left. Edert adopted with a 3 and a layup, and the Peacocks closed it out on the free-throw line.

Saint Peter’s Peacocks ahead Hassan Drame (14) dunks the ball within the second half towards the Murray State Racers in the course of the second spherical of the 2022 NCAA Match at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, March 19, 2022.
(USA Right now Sports activities/Reuters)

Hill made 5 3s for 19 factors and Tevin Brown scored 14 for Murray State. First-half foul hassle damage the Racers, who had to determine how you can preserve DJ Burns and Nicholas McMullen within the recreation with three fouls every.

Taking pictures was an issue, too: The Racers shot 35%, together with 9 of 28 within the first half. Saint Peter’s completed at 42% and closed the sport with a 6-0 run for its ninth consecutive victory.

Saint Peter’s Hassan Drame (14) grabs a rebound towards Murray State’s Trae Hannibal, left, in the course of the first half of a faculty basketball recreation within the second spherical of the NCAA match, Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Indianapolis. 
(Related Press)

Ndefo, the Peacocks’ undersized put up participant at 6-foot-7 and 195 kilos, completed with 10 rebounds and made 7 of 9 free throws.

BIG PICTURE

Saint Peter’s didn’t buckle in its additional time win over No. 2 seed Kentucky and confirmed no concern this time, both. The campus was buzzing after that victory and Holloway mentioned he acquired greater than 800 textual content messages. The Peacocks are more likely to receiver a hero’s welcome again in Jersey Metropolis.

Saint Peter’s gamers have fun after defeating Murray State in a school basketball recreation within the second spherical of the NCAA match, Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Indianapolis. 
(Related Press)

Murray State ultimately regrouped after its early foul issues, however for the primary time since late December, the Racers failed to shut out a recreation.

UP NEXT

Saint Peter’s will get to observe its subsequent opponent on TV when No. 6 seed Texas meets No. 3 seed Purdue in Milwaukee on Sunday.