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 -- The last time these two teams played, Marist ended the Iona College men's basketball season with a three-point win in the opening round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship. The Gaels finished with a 12-19 record, tied for seventh in the conference. After a 62-41 victory tonight at the Hynes Athletics Center, that loss must seem like a lifetime ago for Kevin Willard.
"(It feels like) yesterday," Willard joked, before getting serious. "No, we're a different basketball team than we were last year. We're a little bit deeper of a basketball team…so it seems like a lifetime ago."
The head coach for the men's basketball team can't help but be pleased with the unbelievable strides this team has made since then. The Gaels (16-6) have now won seven in a row, building on their longest streak since January 2006. Tonight's victory, much like Friday's win over Manhattan, can be credited to the defense.
"We wanted to come out and try to limit their three-point attempts," Willard said. "They're a good three-point shooting team. They depend on that a lot." The Gaels held Marist to just 14 attempts, with two coming in the final minutes when the game was already decided. The Red Foxes only connected on four in the game. Iona also forced 22 turnovers and picked up a season-high 14 steals and nine blocked shots, all while holding Marist to 32.6% shooting.
The star on the defensive end was undoubtedly junior forward Alejo Rodriguez, who was able to stay out of foul trouble and shut down Marist's frontcourt players. He blocked five shots, a season high for Iona, and grabbed 11 rebounds.
"That's what my team needs me to do," Rodriguez said, speaking of his defensive work. "That's what I can bring to the table every night, regardless of what I'm doing offensively."
Offensively, however, Rodriguez was very productive as well, notching 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting. He was aided by several nice passes from sophomore point guard Scott Machado, who tallied a game-high six assists to go along with his 14 points.
"We have to get Alejo some easy buckets," Willard said. "He plays such good defense and covers everybody; you've got to reward him. You've got to give him the ball where he doesn't have to work for it all the time. I think Scotty understands that and is doing a good job of trying to find him."
Machado and Rodriguez had a nice two-man game working all night. At one point early in the second half, when it looked like Marist was creeping back into the game, cutting the lead to eight, the Iona duo took over. Rodriguez slammed home a Kyle Smyth miss, followed it up with a steal during the Gaels' ensuing full-court press, and dished it to Machado for a lay-up.
On Marist's next possession, Rodriguez blocked a shot, then hustled down the court and converted a nice dish from Machado, drawing a foul in the process. Just a moment later, the junior registered another block and yet another lay-up off a Machado pass and the Iona lead was suddenly back to 14.
The Gaels had a lead to protect because of their great start. They were hitting shots and forcing turnovers and were up 12-0 before Marist knew what hit them. Iona led 26-9 at one point and 30-17 at half. The Red Foxes mini-run to start the second half was all they could muster, and it was never in doubt from the 14-minute mark.
Marist head coach Chuck Martin, who is attempting to rebuild his program much like Willard is doing with Iona, knew his squad might be in for a long night before the ball was even tipped. "When I walked in the gym, it's a different team—bigger, stronger," Martin said of the Gaels. "It's not the same team from a year ago."
It sure isn't, considering the Gaels were just 5-6 in the MAAC at this point last season. Tonight, Iona kept pace with Fairfield, which also won, and now the Gaels sit in second place with an 8-3 conference mark. Iona will look to extend its long winning streak when it hosts Canisius on Monday night.
