Box Score Andrew Kahn will be writing feature and postgame articles for Iona basketball for
ICGaels.com in the 2009-10 season. A New Rochelle High School
graduate, he holds an English degree from the University of Michigan
and currently works for the non-profit Dana Foundation. In addition to
his work for ICGaels.com, Andrew writes for his own blog,
www.TheSportsJournalists.com.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Fans and media love to talk about "letdown games" and for the first 10 minutes of tonight's contest it looked like Iona might fall into the trap. Coming off a big win on the road against a BIG EAST school, the Gaels fell behind 26-16 midway through the first half against Albany. But a 25-7 run over the next seven minutes erased any thoughts of a disappointing effort, as the Iona College men's basketball team cruised to a 75-62 win at the Hynes Athletics Center.
Sophomore guards Scott Machado and Jermel Jenkins keyed the run, scoring eight and nine points respectively in the first half.
"He's been playing real well," freshman Kyle Smyth said about Jenkins. "He had so much pressure on the ball in the press and everything and that led to easy buckets for him." The Gaels shot an incredible 61% from the field in the opening half.
Smyth, who just earned MAAC Rookie of the Week honors, scored 10, his third straight game in double figures. But it was Machado who really stuffed the stat sheet, leading the Gaels in points (14), assists (6), and steals (5), while pulling down three rebounds.
"Scotty's been playing great," head coach Kevin Willard said. "He's been playing a great floor game, he just hasn't been shooting the ball overly well. But I think he's starting to get out of that a little bit now." Machado was 6-of-8 from the field, including 2-of-4 from downtown.
As always, Willard made use of his deep bench. Fourteen Gaels saw the court; 12 played at least nine minutes and 11 scored. No doubt that Iona's fresh legs and constant pressure factored into Albany's 17 turnovers, especially the 11 in the second half. "I thought they got worn down a little bit," Willard said.
Iona (7-4) won its third straight. The Gaels spoke about the importance of not letting up after the Providence game, especially at home. "When we get a win at home, it feels like everybody in the crowd... they're all in it," Machado said. "It feels like everybody won together."
Willard was proud his squad didn't have the dreaded letdown. Getting the win in front of the home fans meant a lot to him and the players. "I'm actually more excited about this win than I am about the Providence win," he said.
If the Maroon & Gold want to keep their momentum going they're going to have to do it on the road. Iona's next six games are away from home. They won't return to the Hynes Center until January 16. The stretch starts with two non-conference games against Fairleigh Dickinson and No. 14 Connecticut before Iona gets back into MAAC play.
The road trip will give great insight into where the Gaels might be headed this season. If they play like they have the last few games, the future looks bright.
