Box Score LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - The Iona College men's basketball team erased an eight-point first half deficit and withstood a late Creighton run in a 63-55 win over the Blue Jays in the final game of the 2009 Old Spice Classic at the Milk House. The Gaels (4-2) improved the four-year MAAC record at the tournament to 4-8.
After sophomore
Trinity Fields knotted the score at 11-11 on a pretty layup with 10:51 remaining in the first half, Creighton went on an 10-2 spurt to take a 21-13 advantage with 6:58 to play. The Gaels turned it around and ended the half on a 20-9 run and a 33-30 lead into halftime.
The Maroon & Gold scored the first five points of the half to lead by eight points with 15:30 to play. Two Andrew Bock free throws and a Kenny Lawson, Jr. jumper cut the deficit in half. Rookie
Rashard McGill answered the quick run with a three-pointer to put Iona up by seven. Back-to-back layups after Iona turnovers and another Lawson bucket saw Iona's lead cut to just one point, 42-41 just over halfway through the period. The Gaels nursed a low single-digit advantage until Creighton knotted the score at 47-47 on two Cavel Witter free throws. The turning point of the game came with the shot clock running down as sophomore
Scott Machado drained a long three pointer with 6:39 remaining to give Iona the lead for good. Machado's classmate,
Jermel Jenkins added another dagger on the team's next possession for a 53-47 lead. The Maroon & Gold capped an 8-0 run on a pretty steal and breakaway dunk by junior
Alejo Rodriguez. Creighton would not get closer than six points the rest of the way.
Freshman
Kyle Smyth was named ESPNU's Player of the Game with a team-high 14 points. He drained a season-best four three pointers and converted both free throw attempts while adding five rebounds and two assists with no turnovers. Rookie
Mike McFadden had another strong game with 10 points and two rebounds. Machado chipped in 10 points and four assists. Rodriguez complemented his seven points with a team-leading six boards while being limited to 16 minutes due to foul trouble. Iona's star of the weekend, Jenkins, had six points, four assists and three rebounds.
The Gaels enter MAAC play next weekend with a 4-2 record, their best start since a 6-0 mark to begin the 2005-06 season. Iona begins a three-game homestand with Saint Peter's on Friday (Dec. 4) before taking on Siena at the Hynes Center next Monday (Dec. 7).
