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John Dunne On WFAN: St. Peter's Brings NCAA Bid To Jersey City

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Long after the nets had been cut down, St. Peter's players sat courtside, looking around the arena where the team had just secured the school's first NCAA berth in 16 years.

They almost couldn't believe it.

John Dunne's Peacocks (20-13) beat second-seeded Iona Gaels 62-57 to win the MAAC championship Monday.

"These guys hung in there, they stuck it out for and for St. Peter's and Jersey City," Dunne told WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts Tuesday morning. "We built it from six wins, to eleven, to sixteen that third year, and the ultimate, getting to the dance their senior year."

LISTEN: St. Peter's John Dunne talks NCAA Tourney with Joe & Evan

The Peacocks controlled the tempo throughout. Iona came in shooting almost 48 percent from the field, but made just 19 of 59 shots on Monday.

"We were peaking at the right time," said the coach. "We knew we had enough talent."

This was St. Peter's seventh appearance in the MAAC championship game, but its first since 2006. The school last won the tournament and earned an NCAA bid in 1995.

RELATED: St. John's Fever Hits Big East Tournament, MSG

How far can St. Peter's take their Cinderella story? Make your predictions in the comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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