JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — In a high-octane offensive showcase, the Saint Peter’s Peacocks secured their first victory of the season, outlasting the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 93-83 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Yanitelli Center.

Brent Bland led a potent Saint Peter’s attack with a game-high 27 points and seven rebounds, spearheading an efficient performance from the home team. The Peacocks improved to 1-1 on the young season, while the Knights fell to 0-2.

Saint Peter’s set the tone early, building a 38-29 halftime lead behind a balanced offensive effort and disruptive defense. The Peacocks forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 14 points, while also recording 12 steals and five blocks.

The Knights emerged from the break with renewed energy, mounting a second-half charge. Fairleigh Dickinson poured in 54 points after halftime, but Saint Peter’s answered nearly every basket, matching the visitors with 55 points of their own in the period to maintain control.

Efficiency was the story for the Peacocks. They shot 50 percent from the floor, connecting on 31 of 62 attempts, and were particularly effective from the free-throw line, making 21 of 27. Their offensive rating of 122.7 points per 100 possessions dwarfed the Knights’ mark of 112.9.

While Fairleigh Dickinson found success from beyond the arc, hitting 14 three-pointers, their offense was hampered by a lack of ball movement and struggles at the charity stripe. The Knights managed only four total assists and shot just 11 for 20 on free throws.

Saint Peter’s showcased superior ball movement and interior scoring. Bryce Eaton orchestrated the offense with eight assists to go with 13 points, while TJ Robinson provided a significant spark off the bench with 16 points. The Peacocks dominated points in the paint, outscoring the Knights 38-24.

Jahki Gupton anchored the Saint Peter’s defense with three blocks and five rebounds, and Adetokunbo Bakare contributed 10 efficient points in just 11 minutes of play.

The game, played before an intimate crowd of 575 fans, saw Saint Peter’s outperform its pre-game statistical projection, which gave the Peacocks a 76.4 percent probability of victory. The win provides momentum for Saint Peter’s as they prepare for a road test at VCU on Wednesday.

Fairleigh Dickinson, still seeking its first win, will continue a challenging early-season slate with a trip to Texas on the same afternoon.