BUFFALO, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a matchup of teams seeking a foothold, the Saint Peter’s Peacocks found one Friday night, using a dominant second-half defensive performance to secure a 61-49 victory over the Canisius Golden Griffins in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game at Koessler Athletic Center.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 449, was a stark departure from recent form for both squads, which entered with identical 1-8 records. Saint Peter’s, which had lost its last four games by an average of 25 points and had not scored more than 58 points in any contest this season, discovered an offensive rhythm and a defensive tenacity that had been missing.

The most important part of the game unfolded over the final 15 minutes, as Saint Peter’s transformed a narrow contest into a comfortable win. Leading just 40-39 late in the third quarter, the Peacocks closed the period on a 7-1 run, capped by a driving layup and a free throw from Jayshlynn Vega. That momentum carried into the fourth, where Saint Peter’s held Canisius without a field goal for a critical stretch of over six minutes.

During that decisive span, the Peacocks’ defense stifled the Golden Griffins, forcing rushed shots and turnovers. Offensively, they methodically built their lead. Nikola Zdenkova sank a pair of crucial three-pointers early in the fourth, and Vega took over, scoring on a series of drives and free throws. A three-pointer by Vega with 1:55 remaining pushed the Saint Peter’s lead to 14 points, effectively sealing the outcome.

Vega, a guard from Florida, Puerto Rico, was the catalyst, finishing with a game-high 23 points in just 26 minutes of action. She was efficient and aggressive, drawing fouls and converting at the line. Zdenkova, a guard from Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, provided vital perimeter scoring, adding 12 points, including three shots from beyond the arc, and a blocked shot.

Canisius, which had won two of its last three, was led by Franka Wittenberg of Hildesheim, Germany, who tallied 10 points and four assists. Shariah Gailes of Brooklyn, Ohio, and Yasmine Djibril of Montreal, Canada, each contributed nine points. The Golden Griffins started strong, leading 16-9 after the first quarter, but their offense grew stagnant as the game progressed. After shooting relatively well in the first half, they managed only 22 points over the final two quarters, with nine coming in the fourth.

Saint Peter’s showcased improved ball movement, with Louella Allana of Laval, Canada, directing the offense and dishing out three assists. The Peacocks also won the battle on the glass, with De’Naya Rippey of Brooklyn, New York, pulling down eight rebounds to go with her eight points.

The victory improved Saint Peter’s to 2-8 overall and marked a positive start to MAAC play. Canisius fell to 2-8. The result defied the pregame statistical projection, which heavily favored the Golden Griffins at home.

Both teams return to conference action Sunday. Saint Peter’s travels to face Niagara, while Canisius remains at home to host Siena.