JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Canisius College women's basketball program opened conference play on Friday night, as the squad defeated the Saint Peter's Peacocks in Jersey City, N.J., 60-53. With the win the Griffs improve to 4-2 and 1-0 in MAAC play, while Saint Peter's drops to 1-6 and 0-1 in conference action.

On a day where the offense wasn't at its best, the Blue and Gold's nationally ranked defense was, holding Saint Peter's to just 17 buckets, and a 27.4 field goal percentage. The Griffs on the other hand shot 23-of-55 for 41 percent from the field.

Canisius senior, Jasmine Mungo led the way with 14 points and eight rebounds, spurring her squad throughout the contest. Crystal Porter was an offensive force in the fourth quarter, scoring all of her 10 points in the final frame, also chipping in four rebounds and two assists.

Marcia Senatus led the way for the Peacocks, shooting 4-of-12 and 4-of-6 from the charity stripe to accrue 13 points for the game. Alyssa Velles also hit double-digits for SPU, shooting 4-of-10 from the floor and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, for 10 points.

Saint Peter's opened up the game with a 10-6 lead to end the first quarter, but the Griffs offense gained traction, thanks to a 10-0 run midway through the second frame, as the squad took a 28-24 lead into the break.

A tight third quarter, opened up the final stanza with a 37-36, Canisius lead, but Porter took over, scoring the first three buckets of the quarter and the first four field goals for the Blue and Gold. The fourth year player's production helped spark the Griffs offense to a big 23-point period, leading to the Blue and Gold's 60-53 victory.

For the sixth-straight time this season, Canisius held their opponent to under 40-percent shooting, and for the second time this season the Griffs forced their opponent to shoot lower than 30 percent.

Canisius concludes the opening weekend of MAAC play against Rider on Sunday as the squad travels to Lawrenceville, N.J. for a 2 p.m. tip off.