LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - The Iona College men's basketball team battled to a 54-49 loss to Florida State in the first round of the 2009 Old Spice Classic at the Milk House in ESPN's Wide World of Sports. The Gaels (3-1) erased an 11-point second half deficit but could not muster enough offense to hold of the Seminoles (4-1).

A low scoring first half saw six ties and seven lead changes with Florida State holding the one-point 25-24 advantage. Freshman Mike McFadden tipped home a missed three pointer by senior Jonathan Huffman at the 7:35 mark to give the Maroon & Gold its largest lead at 16-11. The Seminoles battled back to tie a little over three minutes later as Chris Singleton drained a three pointer. The two teams traded leads throughout the remainder of the have before a Deividas Dulkys three pointer gave Florida State its one point halftime lead.

The second half was as much of a battle as the first. The Seminoles raced out to an 11-point advantage with a 10-0 run to start the half. The Gaels got on the board on junior Alejo Rodriguez' tip-in off freshman Keon Williams missed shot attempt at the 15:54 mark. Iona slowly chipped away with solid defensive play on a Florida State team that had an extreme size advantage at all positions. Sophomore Scott Machado's two free throws with 9:54 remaining tied the score at 39-39. Four straight Seminole connections from the charity stripe and a Michael Snaer jumper in the paint gave FSU a lead it would not relinquish. The Gaels forced 16 turnovers in the second half and allowed just two field goals in the final 12 minutes of the half but a 16-7 advantage at the free throw line proved to be the difference in the game.

Sophomore Jermel Jenkins led the way with 12 points and four steals in the game including Iona's only two three-point field goals in the contest. Rodriguez added 12 points and eight rebounds while Machado pitched in nine points with four rebounds, four steals and three assists. Williams tallied six points in seven minutes in the second half.

The Gaels are back in action tomorrow night at the Old Spice Classic when they take on Baylor University at 7:30 pm. The Bears fell to Alabama in their contest on Thursday.