SPRINGFIELD, MA - The Iona College men's basketball team fell 71-68 to Manhattan in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship final at the MassMutual Center. A three-point attempt by the Gaels at the buzzer rimmed out in the Jaspers' win.

Five Iona players scored 10 or more points led by 15 from sophomore A.J. English. Senior Tre Bowman had 14 points, senior Sean Armand posted 13 points, five rebounds and four assists, junior David Laury had his seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds and sophomore Isaiah Williams posted 10 points and two blocks in the loss.

Manhattan's six-point halftime lead became a three-point deficit just over four minutes into the second half when Laury's layup in traffic made the score 38-35 at the 15:58 mark. Jasper sophomore Ashton Pankey put the exclamation point on a 9-0 Manhattan run with a dunk at 12:48 to put his squad ahead 44-38. Two English free throws with 7:35 left cut the Gaels' deficit to 56-54, but eight straight Manhattan points that followed made the game's only double-digit margin at 64-54 with 6:19 remaining. In the final minute of play, Iona got within two points on back-to-back English buckets. Following Donovan Kates' free throw make and miss with under 16 seconds to play, the Gaels were unable to get the ball in the hands of one of their sharpshooters and a long three-pointer by Laury fell just short.

Senior George Beamon led his squad with 17 points and eight rebounds and was named the tournament's most outstanding performer. Senior Rhamel Brown had 15 points while sophomore Shane Richards added 14 and junior Emmy Andujar had 12 in the win.

Iona shot 44.2% for the game after a 35.7% effort in the first half. Manhattan finished with a 47.3% field goal percentage and a 38-28 lead on the boards.

Laury and Armand were named to the MAAC Championship All-Tournament team for their efforts in the Gaels' three contests.

Iona awaits Selection Sunday (Mar. 16) to determine its next opponent. As MAAC Regular Season Champions, the Maroon & Gold has an automatic bid into the National Invitation Tournament.