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.
ALBANY, NY — When the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament bracket was set, many pointed to the Iona-Niagara game as the best matchup of the early rounds, and it certainly lived up to the hype. Unfortunately for the Iona College men's basketball team, it was on the losing end, falling 68-64 at the Times Union Center late Saturday night.
The Gaels had defeated Niagara twice already this season, scoring 63 and 64 points in the wins. The 64 points Iona tallied tonight was just not quite enough, though the outcome was in doubt until the final seconds.
Jermel Jenkins' three-pointer with eight seconds cut the deficit to just two, but Niagara's senior guard Tyrone Lewis hit both foul shots on the ensuing possession to seal the game. By that time it was nearly 1 a.m.
"It was a very tough game," Iona head coach
Kevin Willard said. "I'm very proud of my kids. They played hard. We played well; (Niagara) just played a little better."
Iona started and ended the first half on mini-runs and led 32-30 at the break. The lead swung back and forth throughout the second half, and a lay-up by freshman
Rashard McGill put the Gaels up 54-53 with 3:11 to play. The next basket was a Lewis three-pointer, and Iona never led again.
The Purple Eagles have a lot of Tournament experience, having been in the championship game two of the last three years. They start three seniors, a junior, and a sophomore, and with all of them healthy, they were an incredibly dangerous six seed. Iona, on the other hand, relies on mostly underclassmen.
"They've got a terrific program down there," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said. "Kevin did just an unbelievable job keeping those guys together. They're a selfless team. They're the most selfless team in the whole league; that's why they're so good. They're going to be terrific in the years to come."
A big – perhaps the biggest – factor of the game was the foul shooting discrepancy. Niagara attempted and made 15 more free throws than Iona. To be able to get 33 points from the charity stripe, especially in such a close game, is critical. But at least part of Niagara's ability to get to the line has to be credited to their experienced players.
The Gaels, despite losing, still gained some valuable experience that will hopefully help them down the road. In reflecting on the season, Willard could hold his head high. "If someone told me we would have been 21-10 at the end of the season, with starting two freshman, two sophomores and a junior most of the year, I would have told them they were crazy," he said. "I'm extremely proud of our kids. I love my team."
Earning the three seed in this Tournament was quite the accomplishment for Iona considering some of its struggles in recent seasons. The reward this season – a matchup with a talented, experienced Niagara team – may not have been all that great, but with nearly all the key contributors returning next season, there's no reason to think the Gaels won't be vying for an even better seed in next year's event.
