BRIDGEPORT, CT - The Iona College men's basketball team dropped a 71-54 decision to Fairfield in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Freshman Kyle Smyth led the way for the Gaels (20-9, 11-6 MAAC) with 12 points in the loss.

Smyth shot 4-of-6 from beyond the arc to account for his point total while matching his career-high with the four trifectas. Sophomore Scott Machado had eight points and three assists, while junior Alejo Rodriguez chipped in eight points and 10 rebounds, six on the offensive end.Senior Jonathan Huffman had eight points for Iona in 19 minutes off the bench.

The Stags (19-9, 12-5 MAAC) jumped out to a 16-point halftime lead with the help of a 19-4 run to end the first stanza including 10 straight heading into the break. A Rodriguez layup with 14:47 left in the game cut Iona's deficit to just eight points, but Fairfield scored 11 of the next 13 points to take a commanding, 17-point lead.

Anthony Johnson led Fairfield with 28 points and 12 rebounds.

With the loss, the Stags clinched the No. 2 seed in the MAAC Championship next weekend. The Gaels can lock up the No. 3 seed on Sunday in the regular season finale with a win over Saint Peter's at the Yanitelli Center. With a loss, Iona would fall to fourth place.