ALBANY, NY - The Iona College men's basketball team saw an early 18-point advantage slip away in a 65-62 defeat to Siena in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Times Union Center. The Gaels (15-5, 7-2 MAAC) set several season lows on offense in the loss.

An auspicious 20-2 run in the first five minutes of the game took a quick 180 degree turn for Iona. Converting 7-of-9 (77.8%) shot attempts to start the contest the Gaels would go on to shoot just 5-for-21 (23.8%) in the final 15 minutes of the half. Despite the cold shooting, Iona was able to maintain a 10-point lead at the break with the aid of a 12-for-13 performance from the free throw line. A turning point in the half was a quick second foul on senior Scott Machado, who played just eight minutes in the frame. Machado had 14 points and five boards in his limited action. He was held without an assist. Machado on the court for eight of Iona's 12 field goals and accounted for four on his own. Senior Mike Glover was a beast in the first half with 12 points and nine boards.

The shooting woes continued in the second half for Iona as the squad shot a season low for a half 9-for-31 (34.4%) including 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. Siena (9-10, 4-5 MAAC) whittled its deficit one possession at a time and took a 58-57 lead on a Kyle Downey three-pointer with 4:22 remaining. The two teams alternated leads and ties over the next two minutes. Senior Randy Dezouvre's layup off a Machado feed with 2:18 left gave Iona its last lead. Downey's 19-footer with less than a minute to go put Siena ahead 63-62. The Gaels had two attempts for a tie on the next possession, but couldn't find the bottom of the net. Freshman Rob Poole sank two free throws with 10 ticks left. Junior Kyle Smyth's 25-footer for the tie was off the mark as the Saints pulled off an upset of the first place Gaels on their home floor.

Glover posted a double-double for the game with 19 points and 12 rebounds. The NCAA No. 2 in field goal percentage was held to a 6-for-14 effort by the Saints. Machado finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Junior Lamont Jones posted 14 points but struggled from the field shooting just 7-for-20.

Siena junior OD Anosike posted 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead the home team. Downey and Poole added 16 and 14 while rookie Evan Hymes had 11 points.

For Iona, the 62 total points scored, 23 second half points, 21 field goals, 34.4% field goal percentage and 11 assists were all season lows.

The Gaels are back in action on Friday night at Fairfield for a 7:00 pm ESPNU tilt.