NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (AP) - Wesley Jenkins scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half and St. Peter's defeated Iona 56-54 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener for both teams on Friday night.

St. Peter's (3-3) trailed 24-22 at halftime and Alejo Rodriguez's layup put the Gaels (4-3) ahead by four, 16 seconds into the second half.

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The Peacocks responded with a 10-5 run, which included three steals, for their first lead of the half, 32-29, on a 3-pointer by Ryan Bacon with 14:57 to play.

Iona would reclaim the lead and hold a 47-46 advantage with 5:18 remaining, before four straight points by St. Peter's. Darius Conley hit a free throw and Jenkins made a 3-pointer to put the Peacocks up for good at 50-47 with 4:14 left to play.

Jonathan Huffman scored 14 points and Alejo Rodriguez added 11 for the Gaels, who shot 29.6 percent from the field in the second half (8 of 27).