WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - The Iona College men's basketball team's dynamic duo of Preseason All-MAAC First Team performers in senior Sean Armand and junior David Laury lifted the Gaels to an 89-71 victory at Monmouth in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Multipurpose Activity Center. Armand and Laury combined for 43 points on 17-of-20 shooting to lead the Maroon & Gold.

With 22 points, Armand became the 12th player in school history to record 1,500 in his career. He shot 8-of-10 from the field and 6-of-8 from beyond the arc appearing in just 22 minutes due to picking up three first half fouls and a quick fourth in the second half.

Laury posted his third double-double of the year matching his season-high for the second straight game with 21 points while grabbing a season-best 12 boards. He was 9-of-10 from the field with two assists and two blocks in the win.

Sophomore Isaiah Williams erased his road game woes with 17 points and seven boards. He also had two assists, two blocks and two steals. Sophomore A.J. English posted 14 points, five assists and four rebounds while senior Mike Poole had eight points, nine rebounds, three assists and four steals for the Gaels.

Monmouth led by as many as six points midway through the first half as the Iona struggled from the field to start the game. Following a Greg Noack jumper for the Hawks at 10:43, the Gaels scored 10 of the next 12 points over the next three minutes to take a 27-25 lead. The run extended to 23-5 following an English three pointer with 2:25 remaining that gave Iona its largest lead of the half. Monmouth scored the half's final five points to make the margin 40-33 at the break.

Iona quickly regained a double-digit lead in the second half following five straight points to start the frame. The Hawks never got closer than seven points the rest of the way. Armand's fourth three pointer of the half with 12:01 to play put Iona ahead 65-49. Junior Tavon Sledge gave Iona its largest lead of the contest on two occasions with a breakaway dunk at 3:55 and two free throws a possession later at 3:35.

Monmouth's Andrew Nicholas led the home team with 15 points. Deon Jones added 14 points and nine rebounds while Max DiLeo had 12 points off the bench.

The Gaels outshot the Hawks 54.1% - 36.5% for the game. Monmouth held a slim 42-41 advantage on the boards. Iona committed a season-high 18 turnovers.

Iona continues its three-game road trip at Niagara on Friday night in the first of two contests on its annual "Buffalo Swing".