BUFFALO, NY- Canisius' Gaby Belardo hit a layup with less than four seconds left as the Golden Griffins topped the Iona College men's basketball team 75-73 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Koessler Athletic Center. Junior Jermel Jenkins knotted the score at 73-73 with a three-pointer from the wing on the previous possession before the heartbreaking game-winner by the home team.

A closely contested matchup throughout, neither team led by more than seven points during the game. Canisius led by five with 91 seconds remaining as senior Julius Coles hit a tough runner with the shot clock expiring to make the score 68-83. Junior Scott Machado scored the next four points of the ball game to cut Iona's deficit to one with 45 seconds left. On a play that mirrored the game-winner, Belardo broke free from the Maroon & Gold's full court pressure for a breakaway layup. He was fouled on the play but missed the free throw, putting Iona down three with 41 seconds on the clock. Canisius grabbed a defensive rebound on a Machado shot attempt and Elton Frazier was fouled sending the senior to the line with 30 ticks left. Down five, freshman Sean Armand hit a key three-pointer to make the score 72-70. Iona fouled Julius Coles on the inbound and the senior hit 1-of-2 from the line. With nine seconds left, Jenkins knotted the score at 73 and Iona had to get a defensive stop to force overtime. A defensive breakdown on the press allowed Belardo to break free for the game-winning layup. Machado's three-pointer from just over half court went in-and-out as Iona came away with a tough loss on the road.

Machado had a team-high 17 points with five assists. He was 6-for-13 from the field and hit two three-pointers. Jenkins added 14 points and three assists while sophomore Kyle Smyth had 13 with three trifectas. Junior Mike Glover posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Iona was torched by Griff senior Greg Logins' career-high 30 points. He was 11-for-15 from the field with six three-point field goals. Coles had 12 points while Frazier and Belardo added 11.

Canisius shot 53.8% from the field and held Iona to 40.0%. Iona out rebounded their opponent 36-21 and committed just 10 turnovers in the loss.

The Maroon & Gold returns home for a Thursday (Jan. 27) night matchup with Rider at the Hynes Center. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 pm.

Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
Iona College..................   38   35  -   73
Canisius......................   34   41  -   75