JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — A surging Saint Peter’s looks to continue its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference momentum when it hosts struggling Rider on Saturday at Yanitelli Center.

The Peacocks (9-6, 4-2 MAAC) have won four of their last five games, including a 74-70 road victory at Quinnipiac on Wednesday. Saint Peter’s is 5-1 at home this season.

The Rider Broncs (2-14, 1-5) are coming off their first win since November, a 72-68 home victory over Iona that snapped a seven-game skid. The Broncs’ only other win this season was against Coppin State on Nov. 22.

A key matchup will feature two of the league’s top guards. Rider is led by Flash Burton, who averages 17.1 points and 3.9 assists. Burton erupted for 21 points and four assists in the win over Iona and scored 27 in a narrow loss at Fairfield last week.

Saint Peter’s counters with Brent Bland, who has been a model of consistency. Bland has scored in double figures in five straight games, averaging 16.2 points over that stretch. He had 17 points in the win at Quinnipiac and 17 points with eight rebounds in a victory over Merrimack on Jan. 11.

The Peacocks have dominated defensively at home, allowing an average of just 60.2 points in Yanitelli Center. They will test a Rider offense that ranks last in the MAAC in scoring, averaging only 62.1 points per game.

In their last meeting, Saint Peter’s defeated Rider 66-58 on Feb. 29, 2024. The teams will meet again in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, on Feb. 1.

For Rider, sustaining the energy from its breakthrough win will be critical. Beyond Burton, Zion Cruz (16 points) and Shemani Fuller (13 points, four assists) were key contributors against Iona.

Saint Peter’s, which received 18 points from Bryce Eaton against Quinnipiac, seeks to solidify its position in the upper tier of the conference standings before a quick turnaround to host Iona on Monday.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST.