NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's basketball team held off Rider 67-58 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference contest at the Hynes Center. A 12-3 run over the final 4:16 seconds led to the Gaels' nine-point win. The seesaw contest saw 10 ties and eight lead changes.

Iona improved to 5-0 in MAAC play with the win and earned its 25th straight win in New Rochelle to improve on the program record and extend the nation's ninth longest streak.

Senior A.J. English had a team-best 24 points with seven assists and four rebounds. He shot 10-for-16 from the field with two three-point field goals in 39 minutes.

Senior Isaiah Williams just missed his third double-double in four contests with 15 points and nine rebounds. He added three assists and a steal and also played 39 minutes.

Junior Jordan Washington scored 11 points, all in the second half and all in a span of 12 minutes played. He added five rebounds and appeared in only 15 minutes in the contest before recording his fifth foul.

Graduate Aaron Rountree earned the start and posted eight points, seven rebounds and a season-best four steals. Junior Taylor Bessick posted four points and eight rebounds. The only other Gael to score was senior Ibn Muhammad. Three of his five points in the contest capped a 8-0 run to give the Maroon & Gold an eight-point during the decisive stretch late in the second half.

Rider was led by an 18-point, nine-rebound effort by junior Xavier Lundy. Junior Kahlil Thomas had 11-points and 11 rebounds and rookie Kealen Ives posted 10 points off the bench in the loss.

Iona out shot (41.0%-39.3%) and out rebounded (39-37) the Broncs. As the Maroon & Gold works through its injuries it was the first time under head coach Tim Cluess the Gaels have both scored less than 70 points and surrendered less than 60. Iona has also held its opponent under 40.0% shooting for the fourth straight MAAC contest dating back to its win at Marist in December. It's one shy of the longest stretch of five games under Cluess from Feb. 8-20 last season.

The Maroon & Gold plays the third of a four-game homestand Saturday when they host Marist at 4:00 pm. The contest also completes a stretch of four games in eight days for Iona to start the 2016 portion of its schedule.