Box Score Loretto, PA - Sixty-seven years after the program's first victory, the Iona College men's basketball team earned win number 950 in a 77-66 defeat of Saint Francis (Pa.) at DeGol Arena. Senior Dexter Gray scored 15 points to lead five players in double digit scoring totals. The Gaels (4-7) used a 12-0 run to open the second half to open a 14-point lead and held on for the double-digit victory.

"A solid victory all around against a good team tonight," said head coach Kevin Willard. "We were able to limit our turnovers and played excellent defense on the interior. Best of all we keep our momentum heading into a tough test in Western Michigan on Saturday."

The Red Flash (3-7) came out firing in the first half, connecting on seven three pointers while taking as much as a six-point lead in the frame. Iona was able to keep the deficit close however by committing only four turnovers in the first half while forcing nine Saint Francis giveaways. With eight lead changes and two ties in the half, sophomore De'Shaune Griffin's jumper from the elbow gave the Maroon & Gold a two-point, 35-33, advantage that his team would not relinquish. Iona led by two at the half.

Red Flash junior Cale Nelson - who buried three trifectas in the first half and five in the contest - missed a three pointer to open the half and opened up the flood gates for Iona. Sophomore Milan Prodanovic buried a three from the wing to put Iona up by five. After a Saint Francis turnover, Senior Kyle Camper buried a three of his own from the corner to quickly put Iona up 41-33. De'Shaune Griffin stole the ball at midcourt and hit an uncontested lay up on the ensuing possession. Two straight Gray lay ups extended Iona's run to open the second half to 12-0. Extended over halftime, the Gaels had scored 17 straight to take a commanding 47-33 lead.

Willard credited his team's execution of the halftime adjustments as key in opening up the double-digit lead. "We wanted to get out on Nelson before he could hurt us," said Willard. "Besides killing us with the three, he was also able to dictate their flow in the first half. Getting out on him and disrupting their flow while forcing a couple turnovers and then converting on the offensive end was huge for us."

The Red Flash continued to battle and cut the lead to eight points with 4:19 to go. Steve Profeta missed three that would have cut the lead to just five points. Freshman Rashon Dwight buried a dagger of a three pointer to return the Gael lead to 11 points at the 3:10 mark.

Gray shot 7-of-14 from the field and added five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Camper had a career-best 13 points to go along with four rebounds while tying for the team-lead with five assists. Prodanovic had 12 points while seniors Devon Clarke added 11 points and Gary Srpinger added 10. Springer had seven rebounds in the win.

The Gaels continued to shoot well from the field, posting a 55.9% margin for the game. Iona also matched a season-low with 13 turnovers.

Nelson and Chris Berry each had 16 points for the home team. Nelson was 5-of-10 from behind the arc. As a team, the Red Flash connected on 11-of-25 three point attempts.

The Gaels take on Western Michigan at the Hynes Center this Saturday (Dec. 22) afternoon before the Christmas holiday. The Broncos come into town riding a 16-point win over perennial mid-major power Southern Illinois on their home floor.

"We've had tremendous crowds in our home games so far and I hoping we continue to get that fantastic support even with the students away for winter break," said Willard. "Western Michigan is a very talented team and we'll take any home court advantage we can get with a loud and rowdy Hynes Center on Saturday afternoon."

The two teams tip off at 2:00 pm.