LAS VEGAS, NV – A second half comeback from the Iona College men's basketball team was not meant to be as Towson held on to defeat the Gaels 76-69 in the final day of the South Point Holiday Classic in Las Vegas.

Jon Severe scored all of his game-high 20 points in the second half by shooting 7-of-10 from the field. Schadrac Casimir and Deyshonee Much combined for 21 points off the bench while Much hauled in six rebounds. Jordan Washington netted 12 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes of action.

Towson controlled a 45-34 rebounding margin, leading to 15 second chance points. Mike Morsell led the Tigers with 19 points and six rebounds while Brian Starr and William Adala Moto each contributed 14 points.

Despite not converting a field goal in the last 4:51 of regulation, the Tigers held on for the seven-point victory by converting 16-of-22 free throws in the second half. For the game, Towson manufactured a free throw advantage of 21-8 over the Maroon & Gold.

Iona managed to cut a 12-point halftime deficit to four points at 48-44 with nearly 10 minutes remaining. However, Towson strung together a 13-3 run to increase the advantage to 14 points with time slipping away. In the final four minutes, the Tigers knocked down 12 free throws to help secure the advantage despite Severe scoring eight straight points for Iona.

The Gaels return to action next Wednesday with a trip to Delaware for a 7:00 pm non-conference contest.