NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's basketball team erased a five-point halftime deficit, outscoring Loyola by 18 in the final 17:30 in a 74-63 victory at the Hynes Center to regain sole possession of first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings. The Gaels (14-4, 6-1 MAAC) rebounded from a stunning loss at the buzzer Thursday night to defeat the Greyhounds (12-5, 5-2 MAAC) this afternoon.

Junior Lamont Jones led the way with a season-high 25 points, just two of his career-best total of 27 set last season at Arizona. Jones shot 10-for-15 from the field and 5-for-8 from the free throw line to account for his point total. Jones was supported by the seventh double-double of the season by senior Mike Glover. Glover netted 20 points and matched his season-best with 15 rebounds in the win. He shot 7-for-10 from the field, to improve his No. 3 in the NCAA field goal percentage to 67.7%. Junior Taaj Ridley also posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards while senior Scott Machado posted 12 points and nine assists.

Loyola led by as many as seven points in the first half, leading 22-15 on a J'hared Hall three-pointer with 12:16. Jones bookended an 11-1 Iona run over the next three minutes as the Maroon & Gold took a 26-23 advantage. Jones scored nine of the Gaels' 11 points during the run. Clinging to the three-point lead with 6:16 remaining, Iona's offense went cold, recording just one point the rest of the way. Iona was 0-for-5 from the field, 1-for-3 from the line and had two turnovers during the stretch. Fortunately for the Gaels, Loyola posted nine points and led 36-31 at the break.

The visitors regained a seven point advantage less than three minutes into the second half on two free throws by Dylan Cormier. Ridley's mid-range jumper with 16:53 to go sparked a 21-6 Iona run over the next 10 plus minutes. A Glover tip-in gave Iona a 52-50 advantage and a lead Iona would not relinquish with 10:02 on the clock. After Robert Olson hit a three-pointer following Ridley's jumper, Iona scored seven straight to extend its run to 28-9 while taking a 12-point, 67-55 advantage with less than five minutes to play. Loyola got within six points a minute later, but the Gaels held their opponents' scoreless over the final 3:57 to earn the 74-63 victory.

Olson scored a team-high 21 points before fouling out with 2:54 left. He hit five three-pointers and grabbed four boards for Loyola. Sophomore Justin Drummond had 12 points while junior Erik Etherly recorded nine points and seven boards in a loss.

The Gaels complete a three-game homestand Friday (Jan. 20) night when they face Rider at 10:00 pm in an ESPNU matchup. Iona then hits the road in five of its next six contests.