JERSEY CITY, NJ - Five Gaels scored double-digits led by 19-point efforts from grad student Jon Severe and sophomore Rickey McGill in the Iona College men's basketball team's 79-65 win over Saint Peter's. The Gaels and Peacocks opened 2016-17 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Yanitelli Center.

McGill scored a career-best 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field. His three-point make from the corner with 2:18 left gave the Maroon & Gold its first double-digit lead of the contest and virtually sealed the victory. McGill added four assists and four rebounds in 29 minutes. Severe was 6-of-11 from the field and 5-of-10 from long distance, adding four rebounds and three assists. His 19 points were a season-high. Rookie E.J. Crawford had a season-best 13 points in his third-straight and fourth double-digit effort of the year. Graduate student Sam Cassell Jr. posted 11 points and five rebounds while senior Jordan Washington had 11 points and a team-best eight rebounds in the win. Senior Taylor Bessick played a valuable 13 minutes off the bench, posting four points, eight rebounds and two blocks for the Gaels.

Iona shot 52.7% for the game and held the Peacocks to 32.9% on the defensive end. For the fourth straight contest the Gaels reached double-digits from long distance, connecting on 10-of-24 attempts. Saint Peter's out rebounded the Gaels 42-40.

The home team was led by Nick Griffin's 17 points with the help of five three pointers. Senior Quadir Welton recorded a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double but was limited to just 5-of-14 shooting from down low.

The Gaels return to action Sunday in their 2016-17 home opener vs. Niagara at 4:00 pm on ESPN3 and WatchESPN.