BALTIMORE, MD - The Iona College men's basketball team out lasted Loyola 59-50 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Reitz Arena. The Gaels (11-6, 3-3 MAAC) used a late 8-0 run in the second half to pull away and complete their season long road trip at 4-2.

Iona opened up a 9-2 lead in the first 2:26 of the contest. Loyola battled back and knotted the score at 9-9 with 13:55 to play. Iona held a low single-digit advantage through out the remainder of the half and the game was tied by the Greyhounds on four other occasions on the half but the Gaels would never relinquish the lead. Junior Alejo Rodriguez' put back put Iona ahead 28-26 heading into halftime.

The second half was much like the first in that the Maroon & Gold struggled to pull away. Loyola junior Brian Rudolph hit a driving layup to make the score 35-32 with 16:30 to play. That would be the Greyhounds lone field goal for nearly 10 minutes. Shane Walker ended the drought but unfortunately Iona could not capitalize and led 42-39. Sophomore Rashard McGill's layup at 4:59 sparked an 8-0 run over the next 1:41 that sealed the game. Junior Rashon Dwight capped the run with two free throws.

McGill and classmate Kyle Smyth led the way with 12 points a piece. Rodriguez added 11 points and nine rebounds while Dwight netted 10 points in the win. Sophomore Scott Machado's five assists led all performers.

The Gaels shot just 38.6% from the field, slightly better than the Greyhounds' 38.1%. Loyola out rebounded the visitors 39-31, converted two more three pointers and one more free throw. The difference in the contest proved to be Iona's 22 forced turnovers compared to just the nine they committed. In turn, the Gaels held a 22-8 advantage in points off turnovers. It was the third straight game that the team committed 10 or less turnovers.

Rudolph and sophomore Anthony Winbush scored 13 points a piece to lead Loyola. The Greyhounds' leading scorer entering the game, junior Jamal Barney, was held to just six points while senior Brett Harvey was unable to play due to injury.

The Gaels pushed their conference record back to and even 3-3. After a successful six-game road trip, Iona hosts five of the next six contests at the Hynes Center including next Saturday's (Jan. 16) tilt against Niagara.