Box Score Nashville, TN - The Iona College men's basketball team dropped a 97-73 decision to unbeaten No. 15/15 Vanderbilt at Memorial Gym. Senior Gary Springer had a career-high 17 points in the loss.

The Gaels (5-9) held their own against the high-flying Commodores (13-0) in the first half, trailing by five going into the break. Iona had an answer each time Vanderbilt looked like they were ready to play. The home team held a seven point lead on four different occasions. Their largest lead of eight points came with less than a minute to play. Senior Kyle Camper hit a three-pointer from the corner with less than 10 seconds to play to cut the margin to five at the break.

The first two minutes of the second half proved to be the game-decider as the Commodores opened with a 10-0 run. The lead never went under 15 the rest of the way in the 97-73 victory.

Springer shot 7-of-9 from the field in his career effort. He recorded only two rebounds in 18 minutes of play. Devon Clarke had 15 points and four rebounds in 15 minutes. Camper matched a career-high with 13 points, set four games earlier at Saint Francis.

Freshman center A.J. Ogilvy and senior forward Shan Foster each had 20 points to lead Vanderbilt.

The Gaels got back on track on the offensive end after a rough go at Louisville, shooting 28-of-57 from the field (49.1%). Iona was also a season best 12-of-14 from the free throw line (85.7%). Though the field goal totals were the same at 28 a piece, the Commodores converted 18 more on 24 more attempts (30-for-38) to seal the win.

The contest completes the 2007 portion of the schedule and the last known non-conference opponent for the Gaels. Iona's final non-MAAC game is a to be determined opponent in the Braketbusters contest in late February. The Maroon & Gold return to action on Thursday (Jan. 3) at the Hynes Center when they take on Niagara, one of two teams in the MAAC that sit at 2-0 entering the heart of conference play.