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 - Senior
Jonathan Huffman
had just hit a three on the previous possession to bring his team
within one point. His next shot would've given his team a thrilling
victory, but it fell just short, and so did the Iona College men's
basketball team, losing to Saint Peter's in its Metro Atlantic Athletic
Conference opener 56-54.
The team was back in the Hynes Center after an encouraging trip to Orlando for the Old Spice Classic, where they defeated Creighton in their final game of the tournament. And although, at least tonight, the Gaels were unable to build on any momentum from that trip, they certainly fought hard against the Peacocks in a game that couldn't have been much tighter—the biggest lead by either team was five points, and even that only lasted for a minute early in the second half.
Iona did trail by four after two made free throws by Saint Peter's with 13 seconds left, but that's when Huffman drained his second three of the game, giving him a team-high 14 points. Iona quickly fouled and the Peacocks Nick Leon missed his first of two free throw attempts. Down two, the Gaels raced the ball up the court and Huffman launched a three from the left wing that looked like it had a chance to go in, only to strike the front iron. Freshman
Kyle Smyth grabbed the board and was forced to rush a desperation jumper as time expired, which was off the mark.
It was a defensive struggle for most of the night, as both teams shot under 40%. Iona led by a score of 24-22 at the half, but the offense had better success in the second half. Junior forward
Alejo Rodriguez (who played 30 minutes) scored nine of his 11 points and grabbed seven of his eight rebounds in the second half.
Unfortunately for the Gaels, the Saint Peter's offense improved in the second half as well. A familiar foe, junior Wesley Jenkins, cousin of Iona junior
Rashon Dwight, scored 12 of his 16 points after the break. Jenkins hit four threes, including one that put the Peacocks up for good with 4:17 left.
Iona head coach
Kevin Willard, while not pleased with his team's play, praised Saint Peter's for a strong effort. “I think you've got to give them a lot of credit,” Willard said. “I thought they played terrific. They made the shots when they had to and we didn't.”
Willard once again took advantage of his deep bench, as 10 players saw the court for at least nine minutes. Dwight and sophomore guard
Trinity Fields combined to hit four three-pointers and finished with seven and eight points, respectively. Sophomore point guard
Scott Machado scored seven, hitting all four of his free throw attempts in the final 1:13, shrinking the Peacocks lead to one with each trip to the line.
It was certainly a disappointing loss to open conference play, but the Gaels cannot afford to dwell on the defeat. Defending MAAC champion and preseason favorite Siena visits the Hynes Center on Monday night for what should be a very exciting match-up.
