LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - Sophomore Scott Machado scored a career-high 24 points and junior Alejo Rodriguez posted a career-best 17 rebounds in the Iona College men's basketball team's 69-49 victory over Rider in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference at Alumni Gym.

Junior Rashon Dwight put the Gaels (10-6, 2-3 MAAC) ahead for good in the game midway through the first half. His trifecta from the corner gave the team a 16-13 advantage with 10:38 to play in the frame. Iona tightened up its defensive intensity over the final eight minutes allowing just two Rider (9-8, 2-3 MAAC) field goals and ending the half on a 15-5 run to take an 11-point, 37-26 lead into the intermission.

Iona held no less than a seven-point advantage throughout the second half and was ahead by double digits for the majority of the stanza. The Broncs' cut the deficit to 10 points with just over five minutes to play. A minute later, Rider senior Ryan Thompson picked up his fifth and disqualifying foul. Dwight's ensuing free throws sparked a 7-0 Iona run as the team posted 14 of the game's final 18 points.

Dwight had 12 points and four assists while rookie Mike McFadden posted 10 points in the win. Machado complimented his point total with six rebounds and four assists. Rodriguez scored just two points in the game on 1-of-3 shooting from the field.

Machado's 24 points were the most since former teammate Devon Clarke pasted the same number at Fairfield on Dec. 7, 2008. Rodriguez' 17 rebounds were the most since Gary Springer had 16 at Niagara on Feb. 16, 2008.

Rider was led by senior Ryan Thompson's 14 points and four assists before he fouled out with just over four minutes to play. Junior Justin Robinson had 10 points while his classmate Mike Ringgold grabbed eight boards.

The Maroon & Gold completes its season-long six-game road trip at Loyola on Monday night (Jan. 11). The Gaels look to go 4-2 on the trip while evening their MAAC record at 3-3.