EASTON, Pa. (Interstat) — The Lafayette Leopards used a dominant second quarter and a balanced scoring attack to secure their first win of the season, defeating the Saint Peter’s Peacocks 76-58 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Kirby Sports Center.

Despite a game-high 23 points from Saint Peter’s guard De’Naya Rippey, the Leopards pulled away for good before halftime in front of a crowd of 247. The victory improved Lafayette’s record to 1-3, while Saint Peter’s dropped to 0-3.

The game was tightly contested in the opening period, with Saint Peter’s holding a narrow 18-17 lead. The momentum shifted decisively in the second quarter as the Leopards’ offense found its rhythm and their defense clamped down. Lafayette outscored the Peacocks 23-11 in the frame, fueled by efficient shooting and ball movement. Haley Poser and Haylie Adamski connected on critical three-pointers during the stretch, helping the Leopards build a 40-29 halftime advantage.

Lafayette maintained its lead throughout the second half, consistently answering any attempt by Saint Peter’s to mount a comeback. The Peacocks cut the deficit to eight points late in the third quarter, but the Leopards responded with a 23-point fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Lafayette’s offensive success was rooted in superior shooting efficiency. The Leopards shot 46 percent from the floor and 39 percent from three-point range. They were also effective from the free-throw line, making 15 of 18 attempts. In contrast, Saint Peter’s struggled with its shot all night, converting on just 33 percent of its field goals and a frigid 25 percent from beyond the arc. The Peacocks also managed only 4 of 10 from the free-throw line.

While Rippey was the standout individual performer, Lafayette’s win was a product of a collective effort. Haylie Adamski led the Leopards with 17 points, while Tasha Chudy and Haley Poser added 14 and 16 points, respectively. Poser also contributed a team-high four steals. Talia Zurinskas facilitated the offense effectively, dishing out five assists.

Saint Peter’s did find an advantage on the glass, out-rebounding Lafayette 45-32 and grabbing 19 offensive rebounds. However, they were unable to convert those extra possessions into enough points, hampered by their poor shooting. Louella Allana provided a bright spot for the Peacocks with five assists.

The Leopards will look to build on this win when they travel to face Saint Francis (PA) on Sunday. Saint Peter’s continues its search for its first victory Wednesday at NJIT.