NEWARK, NJ—Sophomore guard Nick Leon's game-high 20 points led Saint Peter's to a come-from-behind 51-38 men's college basketball win Wednesday night against NJIT in the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.

Saint Peter's, which played without top scorer Wesley Jenkins, who was absent for family reasons, trailed by four, 26-22, with 13:19 remaining, but outscored NJIT by 17 points the rest of the way to claim its second win in a row.

NJIT, which led at the half, 20-19, had extended its lead to four points after a three-point basket by Justin Garris, a driving dunk by his brother, Gary Garris, and finally a Brendon Lyn free throw that made it 26-22.

Leon, who finished the game shooting 13-for-14 at the foul line, fueled the comeback win for the Peacocks by scoring 12 points after his team had fallen into the four-point hole. He scored six of the points in a pivotal 10-0 SPC run that lasted over seven minutes and put the Peacocks ahead for good.

Sophomore forward Ryan Bacon added 12 points, a game-high seven rebounds and four blocked shots for the winners. He scored 10 of his points in the first half and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field. Akeem Gooding and Brandon Hall each had four steals for Saint Peter's.

The only double-figure scorer for NJIT on Wednesday was sophomore guard Jheryl Wilson, who finished with 10 points. Gary Garris and Paulius Skema shared the NJIT rebounding lead with six apiece.

Junior Dan Stonkus made a career-best four steals, while Gary and Justin Garris each had three steals for the Highlanders.

Aside from free throw shooting, where Saint Peter's was 25-for-29 (19-23 in the decisive second half) and the Highlanders were 10-for-18, the team statistics were remarkably close.

Saint Peter's made 31 percent of its shots from the field (12-39), while NJIT was 13-for-47 (28 percent). Each team made two three-point baskets and Saint Peter's finished with two more rebounds and two fewer turnovers than the Highlanders.

NJIT will break to prepare for exams, returning on December 20 for a 3 pm game at Rider in Lawrenceville, NJ.