NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's basketball team continued its hot streak with its fourth straight win and ninth in the last 11 games in a 72-59 victory over Rider in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Hynes Center. The Gaels (13-6, 5-3 MAAC) were led by sophomore Scott Machado's game-high 20 points in the victory.

Sophomore Trinity Fields also got in to the double-digit scoring column with a season-best 12 points off the bench. Junior Alejo Rodriguez netted eight points and nine boards while senior Milan Prodanovic drained three first-half three pointers accounting for his nine points. Sophomore Jermel Jenkins had a solid all around game, scoring just four points but dishing out six assists while setting a season-high with seven rebounds.

The Gaels out shot the Broncs (10-10, 3-5 MAAC) 48.1%-44.0% while also holding a 40-26 advantage on the boards.

The Maroon & Gold never trailed in the game. A decisive first half, 11-2 run put Iona ahead 20-10 with 11:18 to play. Fields' conventional three-point play capped the run that lasted for just over four minutes. Rider cut the deficit to three points with 2:03 remaining in the first half but the Gaels' scored the frame's final three points to take a 35-29 advantage into the intermission.

Iona quickly moved their lead into double-digits in the second half. Machado drained a three-pointer from the top of the key and then had a steal and a layup on the ensuing Bronc possession to make the score 40-29 less than a minute into the half. Down nine points at the 16:32 mark, the Broncs went on a 9-2 run to cut Iona's lead to 45-41 just under a minute and a half later on senior Ryan Thompson's three-point play.

Rookie Kyle Smyth responded to the potential game changing run on the next possession, hitting a three-pointer from the corner to give the Gaels a seven point lead. Up six with under 12 minutes to play, Iona went on an 8-0 run that pushed the team's lead over 10 points, a margin they would not relinquish. Freshman Rashard McGill's jumper gave Iona a 59-45 lead with 10:26 to play.

The Gaels are back in action on Friday night when they travel to nearby MAAC rival Manhattan. The two teams tipoff at Draddy Gymnasium at 9:00 pm on ESPNU.