LEWISTON, NY - Junior A.J. English sank two free throws with 2.3 seconds remaining to lead the Iona College men's basketball team to an 80-79 win over Niagara in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles took a one-point lead with 8.9 seconds left on a three-pointer from the corner by sophomore Ramone Snowden before English was tripped by Wesley Myers 45 feet from the basket to earn a trip to the line for the game winning attempts.

In what has turned into a typical battle between Niagara and Iona on Monteagle Ridge, the game was decided on the final possession and by a single point for the second straight year. For the third straight season and the seventh time in the last 11 meetings at the Gallagher Center, a single possession separated the winner from the loser. In 10 of the last 11 meetings the two teams were within six points of each other.

Iona had a 10-point advantage with 2:26 to play, leading 73-63 following two free throws by freshman Schadrac Casimir. The Purple Eagles scored 13 of the next 15 points over the next 1:34. The Gaels hit their only field goal attempt, committed three turnovers and allowed two offensive rebounds while Niagara was 3-for-4 with two three pointers and 5-for-5 from the free throw line to take a one point lead after Snowden's first of two three pointers in the final 31 seconds put Niagara ahead 76-75.

English answered with a conventional three-point play to put the Gaels back up by two with less than 20 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Iona benefited from a missed layup by Karonn Davis as English seemingly corralled the defensive board. He stepped on the end line however, turning the ball over to the Purple Eagles and leading to Snowden's second three-ball. Down one with 8.9 seconds left, English took the inbound dribbled over the timeline. With Myers looking to go for the steal, he went to the ground and connected with English as he tried to avoid a collision, leading to the controversial foul call and the game winning free throws.

English scored a game-high 28 points, including five on the Gaels last two possessions. He added seven second half rebounds and five assists for his NCAA leading fifth 25+ point, 5+ rebound, 5+ assist effort of the season. Senior David Laury added 25 points and a season-high 16 rebounds for his ninth double-double. Casimir had 13 points, five assist and three boards while junior Kelvin Amayo and sophomore Ryden Hines had six points apiece. Hines' reverse layup with 1:07 left was the Gaels' lone field goal during Niagara's late run to take the lead for the first time in the contest.

Snowden recorded 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and three steals, all leading the home team. Emile Blackman added 15 points, Dominique Reid had 11 and Davis recorded 10 for Niagara.

The Gaels out shot (47.1%-39.7%), out rebounded (43-42) and had a 17-12 assist advantage. Iona led by as many as 16 points with 3:05 left in the first half, but converted just one field goal in the final 5:21 of the frame. The Maroon & Gold led for all but 57 seconds in the contest and trailed for just 20 in the one-point win.

Iona completes its annual Western New York trip at Canisius on Sunday, taking on the Griffs for the second time in eight days.