Who: Saint Peter’s (8-8, 2-3) at Rider (9-6, 3-1).

When: Saturday, 2 p.m., Alumni Gymnasium.

Radio: 107.7 FM The Bronc.

Last Time Out: Rider def. Fairfield, 62-46; SPU lost to Manhattan, 68-63.

Background: After playing four of its last five games away from home, Rider finally returns to Alumni Gymnasium in good position to make a run at the top of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings. The Broncs host a pair of in-state foes beginning Saturday against the Jersey City-based Peacocks. A victory would be Rider’s sixth straight.

Inside The Winning Streak: During the Broncs’ five-game winning streak, four of the five victories have been on the road, although their opponents have a combined record of 18-56 with only Hartford (8-7) over . 500. However, three of the wins came without starting forward Kahlil Thomas, one without Thomas and Matt Lopez and four while getting next to nothing out of second leading scorer Teddy Okereafor. The junior guard’s road performances continue to remain a mystery after another indifferent outing (5 pts, 1 of 4 shooting) against Fairfield.

Did You Know?: Lopez, a senior center, leads the MAAC in field goal percentage at 64.2 percent. In his lone year of eligibility, Lopez has been everything coach Kevin Baggett could have asked for, averaging 11.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

The Desi Effect: SPU’s senior guard got hurt in an opening-nigh loss to Brown and missed eight games with a wrist injury. Since Washington returned, the Peacocks are 5-2 and have rebounded from an early 0-2 MAAC start. They had a four-game winning streak snapped when they lost to Manhattan earlier this week. Washington (15.1 ppg) teams up with Marvin Dominique (14.1 pts, 8.4 rebounds) to create a formidable inside-out combo.