Box Score NEW ROCHELLE, NY-  Sophomore Kashif Pratt netted career-high 22 points and rookie Scott Machado just missed a triple-double in leading the Iona College men's basketball team to a 78-61 victory over Saint Francis (Pa.) in non-conference action at the Hynes Athletics Center.   The Gaels (4-5) doubled up the Red Flash (4-6) in the first half and held on for the 17-point victory.

Pratt was a perfect 6-for-6 from inside the three point line and was 2-of-5 from behind the arc in the 22-point effort.  Machado posted 12 points and a career-best 10 assists for the Gaels' first double-double of the season.  He also set a new high with seven rebounds missing the Gaels' first triple-double in eight years by just three boards. Junior Jonathan Huffman had 13 points and rookie Trinity Fields came off the bench to record a season-high 11 in the victory.

The Gaels played staunch defense from the opening tip, jumping out to an 11-1 lead through the first nine minutes of the half.   The Red Flash were 0-for-8 from the field to start the contests with two turnovers.  The Maroon & Gold extended the lead to 18 points at the break, doubling up Saint Francis 38-18, shooting 54.5% from field while allowing just 33.3% shooting from its opponent.

Iona continued its hot shooting in the second half, extending the advantage to 47-22 less than four minutes in.  Sophomore Alejo Rodriguez' free throw gave his squad the 25-point advantage with 16:07 to play.  The Red Flash went on a 14-0 run over the next 3:28 to cut their deficit to 11 points but would not get any closer.  Iona responded with a 7-0 run to regain an 18-point advantage and closed out the game with the 17-point win.

Iona shot a season-best 53.2 percent from the field converting 25-of-47 shot attempts.  Its eight three pointers and 13 steals were also a season-high.

The Gaels embark on a challenging four-game road trip beginning next Thursday night at Western Michigan.  The squad also takes on No. 21/21 Ohio State during their midwest swing next weekend.