JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Iona College men's basketball team built an early lead and held on for a 71-63 win at Saint Peter's in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Yanitelli Center. The Gaels (11-8, 8-2 MAAC) won their third straight contest and fifth in the last sixth to remain even with Canisius for first place in the league standings.

Following a Saint Peter's three-pointer on their first possession of the contest, sophomore A.J. English matched the trifecta and senior Mike Poole converted a layup on the Gaels next try to give Iona the lead for good in the contest. Iona built a double-digit advantage at the 14-minute mark as junior David Laury's jumper in the paint that made the score 16-6. The Gaels led by as many as 20 points on a Laury layup with 1:31 to play before Peacock senior Chris Burke's three pointer put the score at 44-27 heading into the break.

Iona shot 58.1% in the first half compared to just 35.5% from Saint Peter's. The Gaels also had 13 assists and just six turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

Following an English three-ball at 15:13 to put the Maroon & Gold ahead 55-34, Saint Peter's scored 11 of the game's next 12 points to cut its deficit to 11 points. Peacock junior Desi Washington's layup made the score 56-45 with 11:18 to play. The Gaels answered with back-to-back buckets from Poole and Laury and led by 15 midway through the second half. Senior Tre Bowman's three-pointer at 6:42 gave Iona a 65-50 lead. A 7-2 Saint Peter's run made it a 10-point game with just over four minutes to play. The Peacocks and Gaels combined for just 10 points the rest of the way as Iona came away with the eight-point win.

After the solid offensive performance in the first half, the Gaels mustered just 27 points on 31.8% shooting in the second half. Iona still out shot Saint Peter's 47.2% to 40.3% for the game and for the second straight game had a good effort on the boards, holding a 36-35 advantage.

English led the Gaels with 18 points with the help of four three-pointers and a 6-for-6 effort from the free throw line. He added six rebounds and four assists. Poole posted a season-best 14 points and nine rebounds, shooting 7-of-8 from the field and recording three assists and two steals. Laury had 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes off the bench. Bowman recorded 10 points and six rebounds while senior Sean Armand had nine points, six boards and four assists in the win.

Saint Peter's was led by sophomore transfer Marvin Dominique's 18 points. Washington posted 13 points with three long three-pointers. Freshman Quadir Welton added seven points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots while his classmate Trevis Wyche netted 11 points and a team-high four assists.

By virtue of Canisius win at home over Marist and Manhattan's overtime loss to Quinnipiac Sunday afternoon, the Gaels are tied with the Golden Griffins a top the MAAC standings with 8-2 records.

Iona takes on the Jaspers Friday night at the Hynes Center in a nationally televised matchup on ESPNU at 9:00 pm. The 2013 MAAC Championship game rematch will also feature the jersey retirement of Gael great and Naismith Hall of Famer Richie Guerin '54 at halftime.