HAMDEN, CT - The Iona College men's basketball team welcomed the return senior guard A.J. English for the first time in six games in a 78-68 win over Quinnipiac in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the TD Bank Sports Center. Held without a field goal until 4:54 in to the second frame, English scored seven points in a span of 35 seconds to turn a three-point deficit into a four-point lead the Gaels would not relinquish.

Four Gaels recorded double-digit point totals led by a 19-point, 15-rebound effort from junior Jordan Washington. Washington added two blocks, a steal and his first assist of the season in the win.

Senior Isaiah Williams scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half to help the Gaels to a three-point halftime advantage. Williams added eight rebounds, two assists and two steals with four three-point field goals.

English, returning from a hand injury that sidelined him the last five contests, had a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double with a team-leading six assists in 35 minutes.

Freshman Rickey McGill was a huge spark off the bench for the Maroon & Gold in the second half. He had a career-high 11 points connecting on his first four shot attempts after entering the contest for the first time with 17:10 left in the game. Iona was down 36-33 when he entered the contest and outscored Quinnipiac by 12 points his 15:02 of playing time.

The Gaels also had solid play down low from graduate Aaron Rountree with four points and seven rebounds and junior Taylor Bessick with four points and six rebounds.

Iona out rebounded Quinnipiac 57-42 in the contest. It was just the second time this season the Bobcats allowed their opponents to record more rebounds. It was also the second time in two-plus seasons in MAAC play they were out rebounded, the first coming against the Gaels at the Hynes Center on Jan. 24, 2014. Quinnipiac had recorded more rebounds than its opponent in 87% of its contest since Tom Moore took the reins nine seasons ago.

The Gaels also out shot Quinnipiac 38.2% - 30.9% and had a 20-12 assist advantage.

Quinnipiac rookie Abulai Bundu led the home team with 15 points and nine rebounds. Daniel Harris, James Ford, Ayron Hutton and Will Simonton had nine points apiece in the loss.

The Gaels are back in action Monday evening at the Hynes Center when they host Niagara at 7:00 pm.