The Cinderella Story- St. Peter’s
The run that shocked the nation and wrecked millions of brackets: The Cinderella story of Saint Peter’s University men’s basketball team.
Saint Peter’s University is a private Jesuit university in Jersey City, New Jersey. Saint Peter’s University is a division 1 school. To advance into the tournament, Saint Peter’s had won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference granting it an automatic bid. The Peacocks were given the 15th seed in the East bracket.
On Thursday March 17, in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Saint Peter’s was up against the No. 2 seed in the tournament, Kentucky. Many people believe that this would be an easy win for Kentucky and did not think much of it. But this is where it all started. Spectators were in shock that at the end of the first half the score was tied at 37. By the end of the second half, it was even more shocking that Kentucky and Saint Peter’s were tied at 71 and headed to overtime. In overtime, with the help of their leading point scorer, Daryl Banks, putting up 27 points in total, the Peacocks outscored Kentucky 14-8, beating Kentucky 85 to 79. With Saint Peter’s pulling off a historic upset, they were then able to advance into the second round of the NCAA tournament.
In the second round of the tournament, Saturday March 19th, Saint Peter’s went on to play Murray State, a number 7 seed. The Peacocks scored 32 points in the first half, while holding the XXX to XX points. The Peacocks became the first of three No. 15 seeds to advance from the Sweet 16 with the victory. By the second half, Saint Peter’s was able to secure 38 more points to defeat Murray State 70 to 60. As a result of this win, they were able to advance onto the Sweet 16, where they would play Purdue, a number 3 seed.
This was not the first time Saint Peter’s met Purdue in the tournament. Back in 2011, Saint Peter’s played Purdue in the first round of the tournament and sadly lost. But on Friday, March 25th it was going to be different. The Peacocks did not let their past history decide their future for this game. Purdue took the lead in the first half scoring a strong 33 points over Saint Peter´s 29 points. But by the second half it was getting tight. The Peacocks were able to pull through and score 38 points in the second half over Purdue´s 31 points. The final score was 67- 64. With this amazing victory, Saint Peter’s would be the first 15th seed to advance into the elite 8 in March Madness history. This game shocked millions of people. Saint Peter’s would go onto the elite 8 and play the No. 8 seed UNC.
UNC would be a tough match, but Saint Peter’s was ready to take on the challenge. (was it?)In the first half, Saint Peter’s was down by 19 points. But by the second half, Saint Peter’s was able to come back and score 30 more points. But sadly that was not enough. UNC was able to beat Saint Peter’s by 20 points. Even with their loss, the Peacocks run inspired and shocked many people across the nation.
Saint Peter’s came from a small college in Jersey City, to now having millions of people now know their names. From beating a No. 2, No. 7, and No. 3 seed in a tournament where they were seeded 15. Saint Peters was called the Cinderella Story because it’s like they’re living in a fairy tale. The most improbable team pulled off continuous impossible wins.