JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — Lydia Melashenko scored 28 points to guide Merrimack to a 66-59 victory over Saint Peter’s in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Yanitelli Center.

The Warriors never trailed after the first quarter, building an 18-13 lead and maintaining a steady advantage. Merrimack improved to 9-9 overall. De’Naya Rippey led the Peacocks with 25 points in the loss. Saint Peter’s fell to 4-15.

Oralye Kiefer added 10 points and five blocked shots for Merrimack. Louella Allana had eight points and seven assists for Saint Peter’s before an announced crowd of 267.