NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's basketball team held off a feisty Niagara squad, 73-61 in its first game at the Hynes Athletics Center in 39 days. Senior Mike Glover posted 19 points and six rebounds to help the Gaels (12-3, 4-0 MAAC) the only remaining unbeaten team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Glover shot 6-for-7 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line to account for his 16 points. Senior Scott Machado scored 13 points and dished out eight assists, while senior Jermel Jenkins added 12 points off the bench in the win.

With the visitors holding a single-digit advantage for most of the first half, junior Lamont Jones gave the Gaels the lead for good with a three-pointer from the wing with 3:28 to play. Jones added a put back on an offensive rebound with 71 ticks left as the he himself completed Iona's 5-0 run to end the half while giving Iona a 35-31 advantage. The Maroon & Gold held Niagara (6-10, 1-3 MAAC) scoreless for the final 3:37 of the frame and without a field goal for the final 5:42.

After a Malcolm Lemmons' transition layup on the Purple Eagles first possession, Glover scored six straight points to put Iona ahead by eight points just over two minutes into the second half. Niagara got within five at 45-40 on a three-pointer by sophomore Marvin Jordan with 14:23 to play, but a 9-1 run gave the Gaels a 54-41 lead midway through the frame. Niagara was held without a basket for another four and a half minutes before a three-point play by rookie Juan'ya Green.  Glover gave the Maroon & Gold its largest lead of 14 points with two free throws with just under four minutes to play.

Four Niagara performers scored double-digit point totals in the loss. Lemmons, Green and Jordan had 14 points apiece while freshman Antoine Mason - son of former New York Knicks star Anthony Mason - had 12 points and seven rebounds.

The Gaels held the Purple Eagles to just 36.2% shooting for the game and held a 38-33 advantage on the glass.  The Gaels' 18 assists fell shy of its season average of 20.5 apg.

Iona is back in action in a quick turnaround on Sunday afternoon at Marist.  The game can be seen or live on the Internet on IonaInsider.com.