Box Score New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College men's basketball team continued its hot streak earning a 67-62 win over Western Michigan at the Hynes Center. Senior
Devon Clarke led four Gaels (5-7) in double-digit scoring totals with 16 points. The Maroon & Gold has won five of its last six contests.
"I had told our guys going into this game that - outside of UNC - Western Michigan was probably the best teams we would play to date," said head coach
Kevin Willard. "This is a great win for our program."
Iona never trailed in the contest. Midway through the first half, the team enjoyed its first double-digit lead of the game when freshman
Andre Tarver drained a three-pointer from the wing to give his squad a 20-8 lead at 11:10. After the Broncos (5-7) scored the game's next six points, Iona responded with an 8-0 run of its own to take a 14-point lead with 5:23 to play. Western Michigan chipped away, cut its deficit to five points on a Shawntes Gary three pointer at 3:52. The Gaels held on though and held a nine point advantage heading into the break.
In the second, Iona opened up double-digit lead and held on over the first six minutes. The Broncos got as close as six points on Donald Larson's layup at 12:42. The home team regained its 10+ point advantage going up by as many as 13 points at 8:15 on a
De'Shaune Griffin free throw. Holding a 59-49 lead with 6:36 on the clock, the Gaels bent but did not break against the Bronco pressure. Western Michigan went on a 13-4 run, cutting the lead to just one point with 1:04 remaining. Iona withstood a key turnover on its next possession, getting the ball back on a missed layup by Gary. After Clarke sunk two free throws with 33 seconds to go, WMU's Derek Drews had two chances for a game-tying three. Senior
Kyle Camper grabbed the rebound on the second try, was fouled and sealed the win with two free throws of his own.
Clarke grabbed six boards and shot 6-for-11 from the field. Senior
Dexter Gray added 14 points while sophomore
Milan Prodanovic and freshman
Rashon Dwight had 10 points a piece. Senior
Gary Springer tallied seven points and a career-high 11 rebounds in the win.
The Broncos' were led by senior Joe Reitz who had 19 points and seven boards.
Iona has a week off before returning to action in at Louisville and Vanderbilt before the New Year. The Gaels take on the Cardinals in Willard's homecoming contest next Saturday (Dec. 29) before battling the team that holds the nation's top RPI in the Commodores on New Year's Eve.
